Marion Healthiest State Walk Set for Oct. 9

From the Marion Chamber of Commerce

The City of Marion will join with thousands of other Iowans in a one-kilometer Healthiest State Walk at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow, October 9. Local walkers will meet at Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center, 4500 N. 10th Street in Marion.  State organizers hope to continue the momentum of Iowa’s rise from 19th to 16th and now to the ninth healthiest state in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.  A kilometer is about 7.5 blocks, a 12-minute stroll for the average walker.  Walkers can sign up for the event at www.iowahealthieststate.com.

“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 Jill Ackerman, president of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.  “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 Marion area to join in the 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 9th 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.