by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
The Olympics may be over, but a group of Jacksonville politicians and citizens appointed to public committees are aiming for the City to earn its own silver or gold award in wellnes.
In 1995, Jacksonville was the first city in the United States to be deemed a “Well City,” earning the bronze designation and maintains that designation today. That means 20 percent of the work force is working for a company that has a national well workplace designation, according to Kay Gulick, former executive director of the Wellness Council of Florida and current member of the steering committee for the Get Healthy Jacksonville Challenge.
An aspect of the Challenge, which was initiated this year by Mayor John Peyton and will be unveiled Tuesday, includes a strategy to move Jacksonville from a bronze, to a “Silver Well City,” meaning 35 percent of the work force is working for a company that has a national well workplace designation.
“Bronze is still a big deal because there are only eight or nine cities that have national well workplace designations,” said Gulick.
Another aspect of the Get Healthy Jacksonville Challenge is to address the growing obesity problem and to promote lifelong healthy habits, according to officials at the Duval County Health Department.
Studies by the Health Department show 78 percent of Duval County residents consume fewer than five fruits and vegetables a day, 70 percent have no regular or vigorous activity and the direct and indirect costs of obesity in Duval County in 2002 were $357 million.
The Challenge also strives to track and evaluate the results with the hope of gaining the following desired outcomes: enroll 35 percent of the population in some form of health & wellness program by 2009 — through workplace, school, faith-based or other community organizations; increase the percentage of children and adults who engage in regular physical activity and practice good nutritional habits; decrease the percentage of deaths in Jacksonville due to poor diet and inactivity; and reduce the costs associated with obesity and related chronic diseases.
The Get Healthy Jacksonville Challenge was unveiled during the statewide Step Up Florida – On Our Way to Healthy Living campaign, which is a point-to-point event taking place in all 67 counties in Florida. Four routes, which began on separate dates around the state, culminate Tuesday in Jacksonville in Hemming Plaza.
Walkers, joggers, bikers, hikers and roller-bladers — carrying flags promoting the Get Healthy Jacksonville Challenge message — will participate in the day-long event.
City Council President Kevin Hyde and City Council member Reggie Fullwood, as well as other state and local officials are scheduled to attend and participate.
“We’re excited to have the secretary of the Department of Health, Dr. Bonita Sorensen, in town,” said Charles Griggs, communications director for the DCHD. “We’re excited that the mayor is announcing the challenge. We’re excited to have his support.”
The Health Department helped develop the Challenge and advocates physical fitness.
“We want to move the city,” said Griggs. “This is a city-wide challenge. Everyone and anyone can participate.”