MCMA CONFERENCEMAY 4, 2017

Albert LeaBlue Zones Initiative

Background

Albert Lea population: 17,895

Authorized Submitting Proposal to Host Vitality Project - November 2008 September 2009:

Announced Project on January 15, 2009

Vitality Compass (over 2000

residents)

Move Naturally

Right Outlook• Purpose Now

• Downshift

Eat Wisely• 80% Rule

• Plant Slant

• Wine @ 5

Connect• Right Tribe

• Belong

• Loved Ones First

The Blue Zones Power 9

Blue Zones Communities are the healthiest, happiest, longest-living communities on earth.

Blue Zones Initiatives

Walking School Buses

Walking Moai’s

Blue Zones Checkout Lane

Neighborhood Picnics

Purpose Workshops

Restaurant Certifications

Worksite Wellness

Public Policy & Built Environment Change

Schools

Vitality Compass & Gallup Well-Being Index

Built Environment & Policy

Council adopted a Complete Streets Policy in 2009.

Council amended the sidewalk assessment ordinance to reflect a 50/50 split between property owner & City.

Modified again in 2017 to 75/25 split

Tobacco free City campuses and city parks (ordinance)

Downtown Streetscape

New sidewalks and bike lanes

Private sector funding of bike lanes

South Broadway 4-lane to 3-lane conversion

Designation of Blue Zones Walkway around Lake

Built Environment & Policy

Community Garden plots – Now 100+ ($25/yr.)

School Fundraiser change from Pizzas to walks

City vending and concession stands – healthy options

Health Risk Assessments and Biometric Testing

Community Boathouse built with donations on City land and operated by Community Education

Kayaks, Canoes, Paddleboards, Snowshoes, Bikes, Archery

18 hole Disc Golf Course donated on Riverland Community College Property

Media Engagement

Over 100 major media publications, TV presence, newspaper articles to date

Collaboration & Teamwork

Shared Leadership – Blue Zones Leadership Team

Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea

Freeborn County Public Health

City of Albert Lea

Albert Lea School District

United Way of Freeborn County

Albert Lea Family Y

Albert Lea/Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce

Albert Lea CVB

Freeborn County Historical Society

Freeborn County Family Services Collaborative

Senior Services

Creation of 501(c)3

Mission: To establish and encourage an ongoing community focus and commitment to individual wellness and personal well being.

Vision: To create permanent systematic environmental and policy changes that lead to a healthier environment: creating opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating by positively encompassing an individual’s community, habitat and purpose.

Funding Partners

Pioneering

Healthier

CommunitiesFreeborn County Partners In Prevention (FC-PIP)

RESULTS

Vitality Compass = Added 2.3 years of longevity to residents’ lives

School Fundraisers = Change from est. $6K fundraisers to nearly double

City Arena concessions sales increased by 50% (2 yrs. now)

Health Insurance Premiums at no change to low-single digits for several consecutive years

Business Worksite Wellness Programs – Absenteeism and Worker’s Compensation claims down by more than double in first couple of years

4-lane to 3-lane conversion – Avg. 15 accidents a yr. to 4/yr. last two years

RESULTS

Community Boathouse 1,195 participants in Year 1 to over 4,000 presently Expansion expected in next couple of years

Disc Golf – two additional 18 hole courses that draw several tournaments per year

New Community Events – Albert Lea Floats, Wind Down Wednesdays, LBL Triathlon, Open Streets, Family Bike Rodeo, Free Swim Days

National Citizens Survey – Exceed Benchmark of other peer communities in volunteerism, value of park and recreational facilities (trails, etc.)

Local support of PT Blue Zones Coordinator

RESULTS

Downtown Albert Lea Nearly 20 new businesses in past 3 years Market Values/Tax Base increase of 25% Over $4 million private investment to bldgs. Pending $10 million plus next 2 years Sales tax and lodging taxes increasing by 3 to

5% yr.

RESULTS

RWJ County Health Rankings 68 of 87 in 2011 to 44 in 2017 (45 in 2016) +24

Tobacco 23% in 2011 to 15% in 2017 -8% Obesity 28% in 2011 to 30% in 2017 +2%

Quality of Life 79 in 2011 to 69 in 2017 +10 Length of Life 54 in 2011 to 24 in 2017 +30 Health Behaviors 80 in 2011 to 52 in 2017 +24

RESULTS

Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index (from 2014 to 2016) Pride in community +7.3% (from 61.4% to

68.7%) Smoking rates -6.5% (from 21.2% to 14.7%) Produce eating 5+ servings @ 4 days/wk.

+7.6% (from 54.6% to 62.2%) Obesity +1% from 27.8% to 28.8% 85.2% of residents aware of Blue Zones Project

Albert Lea Well-Being 5TM

Scorecard Over Time: Physical

Note: Green/Red shading indicates 2016 statistically better/worse than 2014 (p<.20) 16

Behaviors and Choices

Copyright © 2016 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

U.S. (June 2016)

MinnesotaOverall

(MY 2016)

Albert Lea

2016 2014 ‘14–‘16

PercentWho

Exercised 30+ Minutes 3+ Days in Last Week

55.7% 55.6% 48.8% 56.7% -7.9

Had 5+ Servings of Fruits and Vegetables 4+ Days in Last Week

58.3% 54.5% 62.2% 54.6% +7.6

Ate Healthy All Day Yesterday 64.3% 67.7% 65.4% 65.0% +0.4

Mean

How many alcoholic drinks do you have in a typical week?

2.5 3.0 2.7 2.2 +0.5

7+ 12.7% 15.7% 14.7% 13.2% +1.5

Yes Do you smoke? 18.9% 15.4% 14.7% 21.2% -6.5

AlmostEvery Day

How often do you use drugs or medications, including prescription drugs, which affect your mood and help you relax?

19.6% 19.4% 19.3% 23.9% -4.6

Never 61.6% 65.6% 64.6% 58.3% +6.3

Healthways Report

Healthways Report

Beat state and national averages for “feeling active and productive”

Tobacco Rate Drop = $8.5M annual healthcare savings to AL employers

Media impact from 2008 to 2016783 media mentions589M “reaches” = $1.19M value

Next Steps/Goals

Healthy Access to Foods & Obesity Impact fee/tax on sugary drinks Food Hub Cooking Classes Farm to table Zoning regulations limiting drive thru restaurants (fast food) Restaurant Certifications

Natural Movement and Exercise Community/Recreation Center Collaboration w/ YMCA, Schools Programming partnership w/ City, Community Ed., Schools, YMCA

Trails, trails, trails Parklet Downtown Splash Pad Natural Park Playground

Key Takeaways

Power of Collaboration

History of Innovation in AL renewed

Enhanced Quality of Life

Economic Impact on Community