Footprints to Health: 

Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) Coalition

Footprints to Health is a project designed and implemented by the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Coalition of Marathon County. HEAL was formulated in 2003 in response to the Marathon County Community Health Assessment's identification of Obesity as one of its top six priorities.

The purpose of HEAL is to impact obesity by increasing physical activity and healthy food choices. The membership of Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) coalition has quickly grown to over 80 and the structure has evolved to include a leadership group and three subcommittees:  

• HEAL/Schools targeting youth through schools or other youth serving organizations 
• HEAL/Worksites targeting adults through work places and employers  
• HEAL/Community & Environment focusing on community norms and support for active living. 

These three focus areas were identified to create integration of strategies and fully address all community populations, increasing the likelihood that intervention will result in real and meaningful change in the health of the community.

In its first two years, HEAL has focused its efforts in schools, worksites, and the community at large-targeting activities to improve nutrition and increase physical activity. Beginning in February, 2005, HEAL was selected by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Nutrition and Physical Activity program to conduct a project as part of their CDC State-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases grant. The project will be continuing in 2006 in the Franklin Neighborhood and will focus on trying to increase physical activity and increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables in program participants.

HEAL Partners: 

Marathon Co Health Department  

Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry 

CaRE Foundation  

Aspirus Wausau Hospital/ Wausau Heart Institute  

Wausau Schools 

Everest Schools 

Newman Catholic Schools

UW Health Wausau Family Medicine 

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