(Des Moines, Iowa) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has declared October as Healthiest State Month in Iowa in a proclamation signing. Iowans from all sectors are invited to celebrate with resources, fun activities, and giveaways from the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative and 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! – a nationally recognized and evidence-based prevention framework to promote healthy habits.

“5-2-1-0 are four simple numbers each Iowan should strive towards achieving every day.” said Jami Haberl, executive director of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. “But we know that in order for Iowans to do this we must consider the policy, system and environments that impact our choices to make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

To celebrate Healthiest State Month, each week in October will focus on healthy habits promoted by 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! The month will be capped off by the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Summit on October 23rd.

The Healthiest State Month weekly schedule is as follows:

Registration for the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Summit is now open. On Wednesday, October 23rd, experts implementing 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! across the state will gather at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny to share strategies for encouraging healthy choices in schools, early care, health care clinics and communities. Session topics include the movement for phone free schools, creating partnerships for healthy habits, and the importance of physical activity and fun in learning.

During lunch the 2024 Healthiest State Annual Awards winners will be announced for the following categories: K-12 School presented by HealthPartners UnityPoint Health, Health Care presented by Iowa Medical Society, and Small and Large Early Care presented by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Celebrating Healthiest State Month is easy and fun! Free celebration toolkits and resources are available for education sites, communities, workplaces, health care clinics and households. To learn more about how you can participate, download free resources, or register for the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Summit, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/healthiest-state-month.