Waterloo receives 2021 Healthy HometownSM Powered by Wellmark Community Award

HealthyWaterloo_logo_wgraphicsWaterloo receives 2021 Healthy HometownSM Powered by Wellmark Community Award
Healthiest State Initiative awards the community for their health improvement work

WATERLOO, Iowa (Feb. 19, 2021) — Waterloo was presented with the 2021 Healthy HometownSM Powered by Wellmark Community Award during the Healthiest State Initiative Annual Awards presentation held virtually during a live Facebook event on Feb. 18, 2021. The award recognizes Waterloo for its accomplishments in health improvement initiatives within the community.

“We are pleased to present Waterloo with the 2021 Healthy HometownSM Powered by Wellmark Community Award,” said Laura Jackson, Wellmark chief health officer. “The tremendous amount of work that has been done within the community is to be celebrated. And because this work is so important, the city will also receive $5,000 to continue the important work of improving the physical, social and emotional well-being of the community.”

Some noteworthy achievements in Waterloo include:

  • Passed a tobacco and nicotine-free policy in parks
  • Enhanced Jefferson street and urban farmers’ market sidewalks and added ADA-compliant crosswalks
  • Enhanced University Avenue to be more pedestrian friendly by installing pedestrian lighting and more than one mile of trails and sidewalks, reducing the number of lanes and lowering the speed limit

“It is a great honor to be recognized as a Healthy Hometown in Iowa.  We are proud of what our city and its residents have accomplished over the years to promote healthy living.,” says Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart. “We have established policies to reduce exposure to tobacco, to increase walkability and encourage bicycling. We have organizations collaborating to deliver education and nutrition to youth in innovative ways. We are increasing access to healthy food choices for everyone. These bold public actions and the healthy personal decisions of our residents are moving Waterloo toward a stronger, brighter future.”

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About Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
The Healthiest State Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization driven by the goal to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. By engaging worksites, communities, schools, retail food, organizations, institutions and individuals, we can inspire Iowans and their communities to improve their health and happiness, and ultimately achieve our goal. For more information, visit IowaHealthiestState.com

About Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Wellmark, Inc. (Wellmark.com) does business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa. Wellmark and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, including Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., and Wellmark Value Health Plan, Inc., insure or pay health benefit claims for more than 2 million members in Iowa and South Dakota. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., and Wellmark Value Health Plan, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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Media Contact:
Traci McBee
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
515-376-4338
mcbeets@wellmark.com