Iowa Governor's Conference on Public Health

The University of Iowa Institute of Public Health Research and Policy College has implemented a new childhood obesity education program. The program, which collaborates with after-school programs, parks and recreation departments and other child serving organizations, is taught by college students. The mission of the program is “to motivate and educate kids to live active, healthy lives now and in the future.” through the Healthy LifeStars curriculum. The program began in one after-school program targeting underserved and low income areas. The goal of the program is to expand across the state within the next few years. The curriculum focuses on three core principals, eating right, being active and setting goals. The program is provided free of charge through a generous private donation and will grow to expand to the entire state over the next several years. The program is an example of collective impact where the strengths of the University (researchers and students) and the strengths of the community (neighborhoods and organizations) and the generous donation of a private citizen come together to improve health of the community.