Living Healthy in Washington County will drive down health care costs:
Living Healthy in Washington County is part of the larger statewide efforts across Minnesota to make long lasting economic and health impacts.

The facts
The cost of treating chronic disease in Minnesota is over $5 billion. Chronic diseases resulted in $17.5 billion in lost productivity and economic costs.*

In 2008 Minnesota’s overall health care spending totaled $24.7 billion or $6,720 per capita.*

According to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota smoking is responsible for $2.87 billion
in excess medical expenditures.*

The overall financial burden of obesity in Minnesota, based on national estimates,
was $1.3 billion in 2004.*

Minnesota aims to move 10 percent of the adult population into a normal weight category and 6 percent of the adult population into a non-smoking category, by 2015. This could result in an estimated savings of $1.9 billion, or 3.8 percent of Minnesota’s projected health care spending,* Living Healthy in Washington County is helping to accomplish these goals!

Supporting and inspiring longer, healthier lives.
Living Healthy in Washington County is designed to support and inspire residents to lead longer, healthier lives. By working with community leaders, employers, schools, and health care professionals, the initiative will create health-friendly policies and resources that make it easier for residents to incorporate healthy actions into their daily routines. From better nutrition in schools, child care facilities, and homes to more physical activity and reduced tobacco exposure, Living Healthy in Washington County strives to make a positive difference across the community.

Individual choices are impacted by the choices available and in turn impact the economy by holding down health care costs for employers, for the government, for each of us. Join us in Living Healthy in Washington County!

Q: What types of initiatives are in development?
A: Living Healthy in Washington County has four main focus areas: Healthy Foods, Active Living,
Resource and Referral, and Worksite Wellness. Projects include more walking and biking paths, youth and community gardens, encouraging smoking cessation, nutrition resources for schools and childcare facilities, hosting workshops to help employers develop onsite wellness programs, collaborating with area hospitals to increase breastfeeding, and more.

Q: Why is Living Healthy in Washington County so important right now?
A: The effects of poor nutrition, tobacco use, and physical inactivity impact not just individual residents and families, but also place a huge economic burden on the state and the health care system. Living Healthy in Washington County takes a community-based approach to the problem that will help create sustainable changes for residents.

Q: As a resident of Washington County, what will this initiative mean to me? 
A: Living Healthy in Washington County is a great opportunity for residents to make their health
a priority, every day, by adding small, but important healthy behaviors into their regular routines.

Q: How is Living Healthy in Washington County funded?
A: Living Healthy in Washington County was initially developed with SHIP funding from the Minnesota Department of Health. Valued community resources will help maintain and support sustainable plans and projects.

*Sources: MN Department of Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Obesity Research; 12:18-24