Improving Health of People, Communities and the Environment
“How are you?” “How are you doing?” “How are you feeling?”
These are often the first questions that we ask family, friends, even strangers when greeting them. Sometimes we get an automatic answer, sometimes more information than we really wanted.
It’s an important question for Michigan residents, who as a whole, rank below national levels for good health. High levels of obesity, especially in children; chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer; and low levels of physical activity – all contribute to an unhealthy population, which means higher care costs and loss of productivity.
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is working to empower individuals to be accountable for their own health. By teaching people how to eat healthier, how tostretch their food budgets to include healthy choices and how to safely store and prepare their food to decrease foodborne illnesses, MSU Extension educators are working to get Michigan residents healthy.
Healthy people build healthy communities and economies.Key indicators of healthy communities include urban planning that creates livable places, adequate green space and safe transportation routes. MSU Extension educators bring the knowledge of the university’s faculty to neighborhood planners and citizen leaders helping them make great places to live and work.
Healthy communities are critical components of a prosperous state. And healthy communities have strong, diversified economies. MSU Extension educators provide skill training, strategic counsel and all the information that individuals need to start, manage, or expand a business—large, medium or small. From the family farm to an entrepreneur’s idea for a new line of cheese, MSU Extension educators bring the knowledge, advice and connections that help individuals and communities keep their local economies moving forward.
Healthy environments are essential to a prosperous Michigan. The Great Lake State is fortunate to have an abundance of fresh water, livable land, forests and lakeshore. Whether it is for recreation, business or personal enjoyment, Michigan’s natural environment is one of the reasons people choose to live, work, play and stay right here. MSU Extension partners with state government, cities, townships, counties and towns and non-profit organizations to protect our environment.
