VCU news

By Leha Byrd

When Chip Johnson became mayor of Hernando, Mississippi, in 2005, the city’s sidewalks were old, dug up, cracked and so narrow two people couldn’t stroll on them side by side. Repairs hadn’t been done since the early 1900s.

However, by 2006 he had created the city’s first ever parks department, and now the city has design standards requiring sidewalks in all new development and redevelopment projects. The city also boasts bike lanes, nearby park space and other streetscape improvements that make physical activity more picturesque and carefree than ever before, Johnson said.

Hernando’s other aesthetic accomplishments, which helped net a 2010 designation by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi as the first “Healthiest Hometown in Mississippi,” were part of Johnson’s list of examples of how he and his community worked to improve citizens’ health outcomes in the southern city. His presentation at the Virginia Commonwealth University Larrick Student Center was part of the Active RVA Summit presented by VCU Health on March 7. The annual event is designed to foster meaningful collaboration around a common goal bybringing industry experts to Richmond to present on a variety of public health topics, including active workplaces and schools, active transportation, health equity, and community design and infrastructure. The daylong summit’s highlights included sessions led by health professionals from across the country, including representatives from the American Council on Exercise and the National Collaborative for Health Equity.

VCU Health officials participated in breakout sessions offered throughout the day.

“VCU Health is a proponent of wellness of the community and we were thrilled to host the Sports Backers Active RVA Summit,” said Cynthia Schmidt, VCU Health chief of marketing. “They’re a great partner and we look forward to having more events where we can promote healthy choices in the community.”

With local activism you really can do things if you show residents it’s important.

Part of Johnson’s discourse was a charge for Richmond to persuade local businesses and citizens to be part of the goal to promote healthy habits and a healthy lifestyle. Hernando’s successes include an agreement from a local bank to offer a portion of their land for park use, and local citizens helping raise money for a skate park.

“With local activism you really can do things if you show residents it’s important,” Johnson said.

Sports Backers, a local business that produces and supports nationally recognized sporting events, hosted the first ever Active RVA Summit presented by VCU Health. It launched Active RVA to motivate area residents, businesses and local governments to make physical activity a personal and regional priority. Organizers said the event was an opportunity to learn and share strategies on what works to get cities and their residents energized and enthused about their health. At the summit’s closing awards presentation, VCU Health was recognized as a certified Active RVA organization.

“We want to celebrate organizations that are making active lifestyles a priority,” said Pete Woody, public relations and communications manager for Sports Backers. “Whether it’s schools, community organizations or nonprofits, we’re meeting to share information on best practices from community leaders who can offer what they do to others.”

Johnson shared that the motivation for his call to action on good health came upon hearing that the current generation is the first that won’t outlive their parents due to health issues. Hernando now has about 1,200 kids participating in youth soccer annually, and 850 playing baseball, softball and T-ball, Johnson said, adding that the teams are city offerings.

“If I’m going to make things better for kids, I’m going to accidentally make things better for us,” he said.

Among his city’s other health-oriented offerings are walking tours of its historic district, better bike lane striping and a robust farmers market.

“Our role is not to tell people to be healthy, but create an opportunity for good health,” Johnson said.

And he encouraged listeners to do just that.

“Go forward and make a good opportunity and good atmosphere for good health in Virginia.”

Our role is not to tell people to be healthy, but create an opportunity for good health.

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