South Dakota Ag Connection - Better Choices, Better Health Promotes Healthy Environment

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Better Choices, Better Health Promotes Healthy Environment
South Dakota Ag Connection - 05/24/2017

Does the community that you live and work in promote a healthy environment? If it does not, your health could be compromised, explains Megan Jacobson, SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist.

"While many chronic health conditions are largely preventable and linked to individual health bahviors, there is a growing body of evidence that recognizies that multiple factors shape health - including our environment," Jacobson said.

Jacobson explained that chronic health conditions - such as heart disease, cancer, chronic lung diseass, stroke, and type 2 diabetes - and their associated risk factors, continue to be the leading causes of illness and dealth in South Dakota as well as across the United States.

So, what exactly is meant by a healthy environment?

The World Health Organization defines a healthy city or community as, "one that is safe with affordable housing and accessible transportation systems, a healthy and safe environment with a sustainable ecosystem, and offers access to health care services which focus on prevention and staying healthy."

"Living in a community where there is unequal access to goods and services, unhealthy environmental exposures, and unafforable, poor quality housing quality can often contibute to the prevalence of chronic health conditions," Jacobson said.

To aid South Dakotans in managing their chronic health conditions, SDSU Extension in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Health and the South Daktoa Department of Human Services, provide the opportunity for South Dakotan's to participate in the Better Choices, Better Health SD program.

"This program increases community resources that are avaliable and is one way to promote healthy community enviornments across the state. The program allows participatns to engage in discussions and connect with resources that are proven to help individuals manage chronic health conditions," Jacobson said.

Better Choices, Better Health is a six-week workshop delivered in a group setting. Participatns meet one time a week for 2.5 hours. It is designed for individuals with chronic health conditions and/or their caregivers. Workshops are led by two trained community members, many of whom have a chronic physical or mental health condition themselves.

"The workshop format is not focused on teaching participants about their specific health condition, but rather the focus is on helping people with chronic health conditions and those who care for them, learn and adopt steps toward positive changes and a healthier life," said Jacobson.

She added, "Supporting community based health care resources, like Better Choices, Better Health, that focus on empowering individuals with self-management skills and support needed to successfully manage chronic physical and mental health conditions is a key component in creating healthy community environments."

To learn more about Better Choices, Better Health and for a list of scheduled community workshops, visit the Good and Healthy SD website or call 1-800-484-3800.

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