healthy living
Supporting community health Programs give access to health and wellness for all LEA HANSON
M
ost adults wish that they had more time to focus on fitness and wellness, and those caring for children often find there is less time to do so. Add financial limitations to the chaos of family management and managing a heavy work schedule and achieving fitness and wellness goals can seem even less accessible. Healthy bodies ought not to be reserved for those with the financial means to pay for gym memberships, which are often costly. For this reason and others, an increasing number of programs are sprouting in northern Colorado that aims to create health and wellness equity. VIDA SANA FORT COLLINS Vida Sana is a health movement desiring to bring communities together to assert their voices for the changes the community needs and wants in order to improve their own health. Those interested in the Vida Sana program need to complete an application and a fitness assessment. Applications are available online in English and Spanish (www. fcgov.com/recreation/vidasana.php). Only applicants who have an income at or below 250 percent of the poverty line are considered. Vida Sana passes are discount recreation passes available for participants ages 12 years and older. The Vida Sana Pass can be used for group-based classes, such as Zumba. While passes cannot be used for access to other health facility equipment (weights, cardio equipment, etc.), Vida Sana members can obtain access to the Northside Aztlan Community Center for $1 per visit. In addition to access to group classes, Vida Sana members have access to free educational events and opportunities related to health, exercise, and nutrition. 16
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HEALTHY WELD 2020 Healthy Weld 2020 is a privately funded grant program at the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment that takes a leading role in obesity prevention initiatives in the county by creating healthy environments where residents work, learn, live, and play. The initiative has assessed areas in Weld County that qualified as food deserts to identify those neighborhoods and community members that lack sufficient access to healthy foods. Community initiative tied to the Healthy Weld 2020 program includes the 5210 Make Today Count campaign and Eat Right Colorado. LARIMER COUNTY HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM The Healthy Communities Program helps families with children under age 21 and pregnant women apply for Medicaid and/or the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). The program also helps families on Medicaid and/or CHP+ understand their benefits and find
medical, dental, vision, mental health, and specialty services. The program can assist families with eligibility questions, referrals to community services, and other health information. Adults without dependent children needing help can contact the Larimer County Department of Human Services at (970) 498-6300, Larimer Health Connect at (970) 472-0444 or go to colorado.gov/PEAK.