Wisconsin is one of four states selected to participate in the CDC Program Integration Project.  Wisconsin's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program utilize a local coalition model to implement and achieve program outcomes through environmental and policy approaches.  Because of these similarities, the Program Integration Project provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating resources to impact the prevalence of chronic disease in Wisconsin, specifically regarding tobacco use, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity.

A Healthy Lifestyles Coalitions Pilot Project has been developed as a component of Wisconsin's Integration Project.  We were selected as one of three selected communities to develop and implement "healthy community" policy, systems and environmental change strategies to address chronic disease prevention and health promotion.  These priorities have been shown to represent the most cost-effective means for promoting and implementing positive community change among all sectors of society.

The Healthy Lifestyles Coalitions Program Integration Pilot Project communities will (1) work towards building capacity within their community to implement best, evidence-based and promising strategies, (2) identify and enhance communication with non-traditional partners, including involvement with populations with health-related disparities and (3) create opportunities for program sustainability. Grantees must use practices designed to change environments and develop policy and systems that promote tobacco-free lifestyles, increase physical activity and improve nutrition and decrease overweight and obesity.

Examples of policy, systems and environmental strategies include but are not limited to the following:

·      Implementing comprehensive worksite wellness programs with a focus on environmental and policy changes

·      Establishing linkages between health systems and community services that promote and support healthy behaviors

·      Increasing access to and use of attractive and safe locations for physical activity in the built environment

·      Increasing access to opportunities for physical activity and good nutrition in low-income communities

·      Influencing policies such as sidewalk requirements and countdown cross signals in neighborhoods

·      Increasing healthy food choices in restaurants, grocery stores, worksites, or schools

·      Increasing access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables for residents through farmers markets and community gardens, etc.

·      Influencing school food contracts to include more fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods

·      Implementing and supporting community or statewide smoke-free policies that reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke

·      Supporting policies to increase the tobacco excise tax

·      Promoting access to treating tobacco dependence resources