Ever Asked Yourself This Question? How Healthy Really Is My Community?
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
How Healthy Is Your Community?
Have you ever asked yourself this question?
I am seeing changes in my community and I don’t like the changes. There is more and more garbage on the streets, or better left overs from a certain Fastfood chain. Now, I’m looking to move to greener pastures 
But really thinking about this started when I came across an article in Children’s Health Magazine. It got me thinking about children’s health factors.
Have you considered how your community influences your child’s health?
In a recent study, independent experts compiled statistics on more than 30 factors that are important to a child’s development including: crime and safety, education, economics, housing, education, cultural attractions, and health.1
Burlington, Vermont came out on top, receiving high marks in all areas of study. Burlington has the fewest fast food restaurants per capita and experts believe this is linked to the low rate of obesity. Clearly, the rate of obesity in in other cities is partially due to the ready availability of Big Macs and Whoppers.
While moving to Burlington isn’t necessary for your child to thrive, ask yourself how your own neighborhood ranks. If you think it could improve, attend city meetings or make changes within your own home.
You could encourage more participation in sports, start a crime-preventing neighborhood watch group, cook as a family, or seek out museums and cultural events. Whatever you choose, your children will reap the health benefits of your efforts.
I’d like to hear your thoughts about this article and the ideas of being an active change for your community and your kids. Or do you rather move away, like me? Well, I don’t just want to move because of the increase of fastfood garbage. I’ve lived here for 20 years, about time for a change, eh?
Looking forward to reading from you.
1Jaclyn Colletti, Joel Weber, ‘The 100 Best Places To Raise Kids,’ Children’s Health, Oct. 20, 2009, http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33385798/ns/today-parenting/t/best-places-raise-kids/#.Tnjjb7_H5, accessed on July 6, 2011.
