Healthy Behavior for Social Change
August 20, 2010 at 2:14 PM by Research & Insights
Healthy habits can do more than trim your waistline – they may also prevent crime, create career opportunities or replace a probation sentence. Although this sweeping statement may come with the disclaimer “results not typical,” we noticed several programs that demonstrate the positive impact healthy behaviors can have on social ills:
Healthy Food Reduces School Crime
One Wisconsin school, taking part in the Education for Healthy Kids pilot program, sought to reduce crime by changing the cafeteria menu. By stripping the school of junk food and replacing it with healthy options, the school principal noted a significant decrease in vandalism, litter and a reduced need for police patrolling the hallways.
Running Creates Opportunities for Homeless
The nonprofit Back on My Feet promotes self-sufficiency for homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. Teams are assembled at homeless shelters and meet three days a week for runs. Good attendance is rewarded with membership in the Next Steps program, which aligns participants with educational and job training opportunities, financial literacy sessions, job partnerships and housing programs. The program boasts a success rate of over 50 percent in helping members move their lives forward.
Marathon Training Replaces Youth Probation
An Oklahoma-based program called Run the Streets challenges at-risk youth to train for a half marathon in lieu of legal mandates such as juvenile detention, group homes and probation. Through the experience, participants learn the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health. The outcome? The relapse rate for Run the Streets participants is only four percent – while youth placed in a group home for six months get back into trouble 25 percent of the time. What’s more, a group home placement costs about $25,000 while taking part in Run the Streets runs a mere $350 per participant.
We applaud the fresh approach these three programs have taken – demonstrating the cause and affect between health and social issues. We’ve all recognized that healthy behavior will help reduce cancer and other diseases, but as these programs show, its impact can be much more far-reaching. These examples serve as a guide for how social ails can be remedied with a healthy push in the right direction. Where are there other synergies between health and social issues?
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Healthy habits can do more than trim your waistline – they may also prevent crime, create career opportunities or replace a probation sentence. Although this sweeping statement may come with the disclaimer “results not typical,” we noticed several programs that demonstrate the positive impact healthy behaviors can have on social ills:
Healthy Food Reduces School Crime
One Wisconsin school, taking part in the Education for Healthy Kids pilot program, sought to reduce crime by changing the cafeteria menu. By stripping the school of junk food and replacing it with healthy options, the school principal noted a significant decrease in vandalism, litter and a reduced need for police patrolling the hallways.
Running Creates Opportunities for Homeless
The nonprofit Back on My Feet promotes self-sufficiency for homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. Teams are assembled at homeless shelters and meet three days a week for runs. Good attendance is rewarded with membership in the Next Steps program, which aligns participants with educational and job training opportunities, financial literacy sessions, job partnerships and housing programs. The program boasts a success rate of over 50 percent in helping members move their lives forward.
Marathon Training Replaces Youth Probation
An Oklahoma-based program called Run the Streets challenges at-risk youth to train for a half marathon in lieu of legal mandates such as juvenile detention, group homes and probation. Through the experience, participants learn the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health. The outcome? The relapse rate for Run the Streets participants is only four percent – while youth placed in a group home for six months get back into trouble 25 percent of the time. What’s more, a group home placement costs about $25,000 while taking part in Run the Streets runs a mere $350 per participant.
We applaud the fresh approach these three programs have taken – demonstrating the cause and affect between health and social issues. We’ve all recognized that healthy behavior will help reduce cancer and other diseases, but as these programs show, its impact can be much more far-reaching. These examples serve as a guide for how social ails can be remedied with a healthy push in the right direction. Where are there other synergies between health and social issues?
Tags: sports corporateresponsibility causebranding campaigns health
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Comments 
 Pablo Edwards |
August 27, 2010 9:44 AM Amazing that the things we often take for granted can help out so many people in many ways! |
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