NIFA wishes to promote initiatives that correspond with the year's theme of health for all on World Health Day 2023.

Get Moving

A few Land-grant universities and institutions (LGUs) are attempting to solve the issues brought on by inactivity and a poor diet. Both are linked to crippling diseases and other health problems. Access to opportunities for exercise is a problem that commonly arises.

• 84% of the 5,467 participants in Walk Kansas in Kansas satisfied the minimal requirement of at least 30 minutes of physical activity five or more days per week, and 82% declared that they expected to continue their exercise routine.
• California educators created an active playtime programme to encourage teamwork, social connection, and physical activity. The programme educated educators in additional institutions while serving 795 primary school students.
• Walk together Participants from Florida had better health outcomes, with 52% of them having lower blood pressure and 29% needing fewer prescription medications.
• Two scientifically validated physical activity programmes are offered in South Dakota to help arthritis patients and reduce senior adults' risk of falling.
• Louisiana educators created a partner for accountability to give participants.

Reduced Use of Tobacco

In the US, smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death. It causes huge costs for individuals, their families, and our communities. Across the country, the use of electronic cigarettes by youth is rising, which is a severe public health concern. Numerous LGU programmes are lowering tobacco use among both adults and children.

• 52% of the young participants in the University of Delaware Extension's curriculum believed that vapers were harming themselves, and the organisation helps 4-H members and adults feel connected and trusted.
• The University of Illinois smoke cessation programme can be made available to employees by employers at no expense to either the employer or the employee.
• The Youth Prevention Programme was launched at Auburn University in Alabama by extension educators under the name The Escape Vapes. 68% of the 1,146 young participants, who were in grades 5 through 12, indicated that they were more capable of avoiding nicotine products.

Taking Care of the Aging Population

The percentage of Americans who are over 50 is rising rapidly. Rural areas, where death rates are greater and access to health-based services is more limited, account for a disproportionately large percentage of this ageing population rise. Through creative programming, extension services across the country have figured out how to concentrate on specific health and wellness issues in this age range, and they are experiencing notable improvements.

• Due to the excessive sodium intake of the average American, even a daily sodium decrease of 1,000 milligrammes can have a substantial influence on blood pressure and heart health. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 1890 Cooperative Extension Supplemental Nutrition Help Programme Education organised weekly cooking sessions for senior citizens in the neighbourhood to solve this problem. These courses emphasised healthy eating habits, which included reducing sodium intake with salt alternatives and other flavours

• Age-related declines in muscle strength, flexibility, and balance are major factors in older individuals' risk of falling, loss of independence, and growing healthcare costs. To address these concerns, the University of Missouri Extension provides two programmes. The Stay Strong, Stay Healthy resistance training programme aims to improve participants' balance, flexibility, and muscle strength. As a result of the outbreak, the programme practically expanded to include senior adults who would not generally have had access to social activities or fitness training. Five out of the five physical health assessments, which also assessed balance, flexibility, and strength, showed improvements in more than 70% of the individuals.
• In Wisconsin, where two-thirds of the population is over 50, Extension has implemented the Ageing Mastery Programme. The training covers advanced care planning, social interaction, a nutritious diet, exercise, and maintaining healthy relationships. Everyone who took part in the programme was able to list at least one change they made as a result of it that enhanced their health and wellbeing.