Anoka County getting $2.3M to get in shape

Armed with a hefty new grant, Anoka County officials have a message for residents: get moving, stop smoking and eat right.

The County Board recently accepted the grant from the Minnesota Department of Health worth $2.3 million over the next two years.

The goal, county officials say, is to promote wellness and reduce health care costs related to preventable chronic illnesses.

"It's an opportunity with this funding that we've not had, and we're just really excited about being able to work with the community groups with the grants," said Laurel Hoff, public health nursing director for Anoka County's community health and environmental services department.

The grant is part of the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), which targets obesity and tobacco use -- key factors in causing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

More than 63 percent of Minnesotans are overweight or obese, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

SHIP was signed into law last year and implementation of the program began last month. It provides $47 million in grants to Minnesota communities over the next two years.

The idea is to improve access to healthy choices in the places where Anoka County residents work and live.

"We know by tweaking the system we make it easier to make healthy choices the default choice," said Cara McNulty, a spokeswoman for SHIP.

Hoff said the program focuses on changing policies, systems and environment.

For example, county officials are working with local school districts to create comprehensive nutrition policies. They include promoting healthy lunches and snacks, creating school gardens where children grow their own fruits and vegetables, and making healthy food available in vending machines and at classroom parties.

County health officials also are working with participating companies to promote healthy behavior in the workplace.