Tama County Public Health & Home Care is encouraging all Tama County residents to join with thousands of other Iowans in a 1K “Start Somewhere” Walk at 12 noon on Friday, October 7.

“The Start Somewhere Walk is the kick-off of the five-year Healthiest State Initiative,” said Linda Rosenberger, Tama County Public Health Director. “By itself, a one-kilometer walk is not enough to change the health of the state, of course. But it’s a symbolic first step on our path to becoming the healthiest state.”

Statewide, coordinators hope to set a new world record for the number of people walking one kilometer simultaneously in an organized event. A kilometer is about 7.5 city blocks and a 12-minute stroll for the average walker. The location you start from doesn’t matter, it can be from wherever you happen to be at the time.

The Healthiest State Initiative, announced by Gov. Terry Branstad in early August, will assist Iowans in learning about and applying proven methods to live longer, happier, and healthier lives. “We control more than 70 percent of the factors that influence our health. It is within our power to make a positive difference in our lives,” states Branstad. Branstad also noted that addressing comprehensive lifestyle changes could allow the State to redirect as much as $16 billion over the next five years to grow the state economy [versus being consumed by health care ($11 billion) and lost productivity ($5 billion)]. The success of this initiative is critical to the economic viability of the State and translates to a healthier Iowa and better quality of life for all its residents.