SC Governor’s Council Success Stories
SC Governors Council on Physical Fitness Works Through Partners to Expand Reach
Background
By working with partner organizations, the S.C. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness is expanding its reach and meeting its goals. The Council helps government and community groups bring about policy and environmental changes that support healthy behaviors and lifestyles.The partnerships have enabled the Council to get the most mileage possible from its modest funds.
For instance, the Council:
- Worked with the S.C. Parks and Recreation Association to host a Step Up to Health conference. The Step Up to Health program was created by the National Recreation and Parks Association.The conference promoted collaboration between parks and recreation employees and those who work in public health in the area of physical activity.
- Partnered with the S.C. Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (SCCPPA) to host legislative breakfasts in support of bills to improve physical activity levels.
- Worked on an Obesity Prevention Conference. Partners included the S.C. Physical Education Assessment Program, which monitors and assesses the quality of physical education, the SCCPPA, and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Division on Obesity Prevention and Control. The conference sold out, with more than 200 attendees. Many who had not pre-registered had to be turned away at the door,
- Created an endorsement Web page to offer indirect support to many other organizations and projects.
- Worked with partners to insure passage and continued funding of the Student Health and Fitness Act of 2005.
Impacts
According to Jim Headley of the S.C. Recreation and Parks Association, physical activity and health and wellness programs are "going gangbusters across the state." A national publication recently wrote about Spartanburg County's efforts in this area. Dennis Shepard, acting chairperson for the Council, commends the many local parks and recreational facilities that are reaching out to other groups to create new physical activity opportunities for citizens.
Council Works with Local Government to Improve Bike and Pedestrian Pathways
Issue
Garrett Wonders, a Charleston area bicyclist and Naval officer, had hoped to compete in the Olympic Games in Athens. Tragically, Garrett was killed by a driver while riding his bike near Moncks Corner. Cars have killed numerous other bicyclists in South Carolina. In fact, the state's roads are among the most dangerous in the nation. Since 2000, South Carolina has had the second, third and ninth highest annual rate of bicycling deaths per capita in the United States. A big part of working physical activity back into the lives of South Carolinians is to encourage them to replace automobile travel with biking and walking. But without better access and improved safety, citizens will be reluctant to embrace these changes in lifestyles.
Intervention
DHEC's physical activity consultant is paid through a Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. Six years ago, he re-established the Central Midlands Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee. Since then, he has represented the subcommittee on the Central Midlands Council of Governments(CMCOG). CMCOG staff members are helping to implement the CMCOG Bike & Pedestrian Pathways Plan to improve and increase facilities for alternative transportation such as bicycling, running and walking.
Impact
Over the past year, the CMCOG staff and subcommittee have participated in activities to support physical activity and alternative transportation. For example, they:
- Participated in workshops and conferences such as SCDOT’s Safe Routes To School training and SCCPPA's 2007 Obesity Prevention Conference;
- Sponsored public awareness campaigns. For example, they promoted National Bike Month (i.e. Bike-To- Work Day) and Ozone Alerts;
- Assisted towns and cities in planning bike routes and sign locations. They worked with the City of Columbia’s Bicycle Friendly Community Committee, for example;
- Encouraged and reached out to local decision makers, appealing for them to incorporate the Pathways Plan principles and design practices in their local land development regulations; and
- Implemented Columbia Bicycle and Pedestrian Week to engage community members, elected officials, business leaders, and professionals in the transportation planning process. The goals are to make Columbia bicycle and pedestrian friendly, improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, and educate citizens, leaders, and educators on the value and importance of bicycling and walking for individual and community health.
Contact:
Jay Daniels, MPH, physical activity consultant
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
1777 St. Julian Place, Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 545-4486
danielje@dhec.sc.gov