Mahaska County YMCA Announces Healthiest State Walk
Walk
[Oskaloosa, September 25, 2013] –The Mahaska County YMCA encourages residents of Oskaloosa and surrounding areas to join thousands of Iowans in a one-kilometer Healthiest State Walk at 10:15am on Wednesday, October 9 from the Mahaska County YMCA.
“Iowans have demonstrated their extraordinary support of the Healthiest State Initiative with the first two Healthiest State walks, which attracted nearly 600,000 participants,” said Ryan Harkema, local coordinator. “By itself, of course, a one-kilometer walk is not enough to change the health of the state, but we’re encouraging even more residents of the Oskaloosa area to join in this year’s event and maintain our momentum toward becoming the healthiest state.”
In 2011, Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds announced the plan to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within five years as measured by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index®. In 2011, Iowa ranked 16th compared to all other states, up from the 19th position in 2010. The state moved up to ninth in 2012.
The Healthiest State Initiative is a privately led, public effort that engages Iowans and their communities throughout the state. It involves individuals, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, not-for-profits and the public sector in a broad-based community-focused effort. For more information, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.
To learn more about the Healthiest State Walk held by the Mahaska County YMCA, or for more information on Mahaska County Y programs, please stop by the Y at 414 North Third Street in Oskaloosa or contact the Y at 641.673.8411. Additional facts about the Y are also available at www.MahaskaYMCA.org.
