Spotlight on Lincoln, Nebraska
As the second largest city in Nebraska, Lincoln is home to Nebraska’s State Capitol, the country’s only Unicameral Legislature (a single-house system), and the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln’s mayor, Chris Beutler, has made community health a priority in this city of over 258,000 residents.
Lincoln is increasingly a city on the move. Joining First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign and becoming one of seven Nebraska communities to sign on to Let’s Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties (LMCTC) gives recognition to our many efforts to increase physical activity and improve nutrition among our citizens and especially our children. On March 28, 2013, Mayor Beutler held a press conference to celebrate Lincoln’s participation as a Let’s Move! City and to announce Anna Wishart, an elected official with the Airport Authority Board, as his representative for LMCTC. Ms. Wishart is excited about taking an active and visible role in promoting each of the goals of LMCTC.
Mayor Chris Beutler appointed Anna Wishart the spokesperson for Lincoln’s Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties initiative.
To emphasize Mayor Beutler’s commitment to a healthy community, he called upon the public and city departments to identify goals and performance indicators that measure progress in improving community health. The eight outcome areas include Safety & Security, Economic Opportunity, Livable Neighborhoods, Healthy & Productive People, Effective Transportation, Environmental Quality, Accountable Government, and Identity Lincoln (what makes Lincoln special). City staff and the private sector developed 130 performance indicators to measure the City’s progress toward 32 goals in these outcome areas. Among the many important indicators are those that measure obesity, physical activity, tobacco use among youth and adults, use of alternate forms of transportation (biking, walking, mass transit), traffic safety, access to safe food, and many more. These goals and performance indicators have become valuable tools in decision making regarding community health.
Lincoln is known for its collaboration among businesses, educational institutions, agencies, health care facilities, city departments, non-profits, and others to further improve the health of citizens. Coalitions exist to address health and prevention issues through public education, environment change, and policy change. In addition, many local foundations contribute to projects to improve health. Among these is the Community Health Endowment (CHE) that was created with funds from the sale of a public hospital. CHE’s goal is “to make Lincoln, Nebraska the healthiest community in the nation.” All funds distributed through this foundation go directly to health-related projects.
A consistent partner in virtually all public health and environmental health related coalitions is the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD). This department is taking leadership in identifying and promoting the strategies that address the five goals of LMCTC. Following are examples of effective programs that are dedicated to improving community health:
I. Start Early, Start Smart (LMCTC bronze medal recipient):
The Teach a Kid to Fish (TKF) organization was created by a local pediatrician dedicated to a community effort to reduce childhood obesity and its health consequences. Among its many activities, TKF is implementing the Nutrition Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NapSACC) program in childcare centers.
A community coalition has been created to bring the 54321GO! (from the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children, CLOCC) message to the community and to measure impact. This program promotes – 5 servings of fruits/vegetables, 4 glasses of water, 3 servings of low fat dairy, 2 hours or less of screen time, and 1 hour or more of physical activity.
II. MyPlate, Your Place (LMCTC gold medal recipient):
All city employees are being educated on MyPlate. The posters are prominently displayed at fire stations, senior centers, parks and recreation centers, summer food service sites, lunchrooms, in food service areas, and breakrooms throughout the city departments. MyPlate is also promoted in child care centers, schools, and other public venues.
III. Smart Servings for Students (LMCTC bronze medal recipient):
All Lincoln Public Schools participate in the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program. Healthy snacks are provided at after school programs. The Summer Food Service Program is coordinated by LLCHD and serves children at 32 sites in the highest need areas of Lincoln.
IV. Model Food Service (LMCTC bronze medal recipient):
The City instituted FitPick vending to provide healthier food options at a lower price than other options in City vending machines. FitPick uses the 35-10-35 dietary approach of less than 35% of total calories from fat, less than 10% of total calories from saturated fats, and less than 35% of total weight from sugar. In addition, because the primary audience for the City’s recreation centers is children, sweetened beverages have been removed from vending machines and only water, juices, and energy drinks are provided.
V. Active Kids at Play (LMCTC gold medal recipient):
Parks and Recreation have mapped trails and parks. The 54321GO! project is mapping play spaces in the four quadrants of the City. Thanks to a resolution signed by Mayor Beutler in 2012, all play areas and public gathering places in the parks are tobacco free.
Lincoln received a bronze designation by the League of American Bicyclists as a bike-friendly community and an honorable mention designation as a pedestrian-friendly community by the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. In addition, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln received a silver bike-friendly designation, and four Lincoln businesses are designated bike-friendly businesses. Lincoln is nationally recognized for its 128 miles of commuter trails and its 125 parks on 6,000 acres of public land within the city limits.
For more information on the local efforts to reduce childhood obesity and improve the health of its citizens, contact Charlotte Burke at cburke@lincoln.ne.gov.