Healthy CR

The City of Cedar Rapids has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the health and well-being of residents. In 2016, the City of Cedar Rapids became the fifteenth Blue Zones Community® in the nation. Since then, the citizen-led Wellbeing Advisory Committee has continued to support the on-going work of creating a healthy community and assisting the City Council with matters related to well-being.

In 2018, Cedar Rapids was among three Iowa communities that received Healthy Hometown Community Awards recognizing their accomplishments in community well-being initiatives. Cedar Rapids was acknowledged for accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments at farmers’ markets, providing transportation to farmers’ markets for neighborhoods with limited access to fresh produce, and donating food to a food rescue program. Additional health-oriented achievements include planting fruit and nut trees on city property, launching a bike share program, and enforcing smoke-free playgrounds. Cedar Rapids was the first in the state to design streets for all users — not just cars — making it easier for all individuals to walk and bike.

Cedar Rapids received a Healthy Hometown Community Award, recognizing accomplishments in health improvement initiatives.