"Healthy RC" a citywide approach to health

Located forty miles east of Los Angeles, the city of Rancho Cucamonga has developed a comprehensive approach to health through its “Healthy RC” approach. Despite economic pressures, the City has responded to growing concerns about obesity, diabetes and other health problems. In 2008 the City Council decided to embark on a long-term process to create a “Healthy RC” by integrating health and sustainability as the guiding principals for the City's General Plan. The City of Rancho Cucamonga's leadership, both elected officials and top administrators, is committed to long-term community health improvement by developing programs, policies and partnerships that facilitate opportunities for physical activity and ensure equal access to nutritious food. The Healthy RC Partnership represents a collaborative effort of local residents and over 50 community stakeholders (elected officials, City staff, County Department of Public Health, hospitals, schools, non-profits, faith based groups, community based organizations, businesses, universities) formed to assess health issues in the community and explore possible opportunities to address health problems. Through a collaborative participatory approach, the partnership has leveraged several funding opportunities to develop long-term outcomes to health problems including the implementation of neighborhood parks, sidewalk infrastructure projects, community trails, and policies to support community gardens and farmer's markets. The City's efforts have received numerous awards and recognition on First Lady Michelle Obama's “Let's Move” website. This presentation will describe how a local city has incorporated this comprehensive approach to health during tough economic times and will highlight policies and programs to support long term health outcomes.