According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30 percent of adults 18 and over are not involved in even the moderate amount of exercise called for by federal standards. While an unacceptable level of inactivity was found across the country, residents of rural areas tend to be among the least active. A local survey of Northeast Missourians confirmed these findings. The 1996 survey found that nearly 59 percent of respondents in our six-county area exercised less than three times per week.

Did you know... The state of Missouri ranked second among 52 states/districts for the highest rate of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.

The Northeast Missouri CHART Wellness Task Force works to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease through education, motivation, special events, and employer-sponsored programs. The Task Force currently focuses its attention on increasing physical activity.

The Task Force's CHART walk program already has motivated hundreds of Northeast Missourians to exercise. They are walking at work; already two companies in our coalition promote an exercise program at the workplace-one as a direct result of a Sponsored-sponsored program in 1997. They are walking on weekends; 225 walkers participated in the fall 1998 "Discover Northeast" Missouri CHART walk series, and our spring 1999 events are averaging 40 walkers per event. And they are learning; our newsletter reaches 150 individuals and more than 600 businesses every quarter.

Our History
At the inception of Missouri's CHART project in February of 1995, more than 100 potential stakeholders from northeast Missouri came together. Following a comprehensive community assessment using data from the Office of Social and Economic Development, the Missouri Department of Health, the Hospital Industry Data Institute and a regional health risk appraisal conducted by Hannibal Regional Hospital, the original CHART partners identified three priority health concerns: teen pregnancy; access to health resources; and lack of wellness and prevention resources. It was from this early prioritization by the broad-based coalition which is known today as the Northeast Missouri CHART Partnership, that the Wellness Task Force emerged in mid-1995.

The Task Force begins to crystallize its intentions Led by enthusiastic representative Nancy Roberts, an occupational health nurse with the American Cyanamid Company, and armed with additional data supplied by Wellness Task Force members, the Task Force discovered that cardiovascular disease was the pre-eminent health risk for residents of northeast Missouri. As a result, the Task Force narrowed its focus to prevention of cardiovascular disease, deciding to pursue this end by encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.

A good place to start--

Workplace Health Promotion: Roberts provided leadership for the Wellness Task Force for its first three years, 1995-1998. Since the Task Force had identified a target audience of adults ages 18-65, it sought to partner with area employers to provide enabling resources and develop employee-focused interventions.

To accomplish this, a "county coordinator" was selected for each county represented on the task force. These coordinators took responsibility for proactive encouragement of workplace health promotion in their respective county. Each task force member who assumed this responsibility (Susan McReynolds from the Lewis County Health Department, Carla Hepler from the Marion County Health Department, Janet Nixon from the Clark County Health Department, Lana Dawkins from the Shelby County Health Department, Derek Clark from the Monroe County Health Department and Judy Couch from the Ralls County Health Department) participated in a six-session workplace health promotion training provided by another task force member, nutrition specialist Jim Meyer with University Outreach and Extension and an officer on the local American Heart Association Board of Directors. This training prepared the county coordinators to provide resource and encouragement to area employers.

The Task Force established a goal of facilitating five workplace health promotion programs in each county during a 12-month period. At each monthly meeting of the Task Force, county coordinators related feedback from the employers with whom they had made contact. Although meeting with some success, the Task Force decided it needed to focus its attention on one risk factor at a time to be successful and agreed to focus on increasing physical activity. Information from Hannibal Regional Hospital's northeast Missouri

Health Risk Appraisal had revealed that 59 percent of residents surveyed exercised less than the federally suggested three times per week. After a few meetings, the CHART walk project was born.

The CHART walk project develops momentum-
Recognizing its need to constantly inject new ideas into the work of the Task Force, a subcommittee was formed to focus on the CHART walk project.  Under the leadership of Julie Leverenz of Hannibal Regional Hospital, Amy Looten from Culver-Stockton College, Beth Lacey of KGRC Radio's WomenSpeak Magazine, Sue Minor and Nancy Waters of the YMCA of Hannibal, and Meyer, the CHART walk project began to unfold. After several months of dialogue, the committee proposed to the Task Force a special day-long walking workshop for workplace and community walking coordinators and an evening motivational presentation on walking to launch the project.

Rob Sweetgall, famous for walking across the United States on several occasions, was invited to provide the keynote address for the workshop and the evening presentation. Thanks to publicity which resulted from collaboration with local media, 45 walking leaders from throughout northeast Missouri attended the day-long workshop, and more than 80 participants were motivated to get up and walk for their hearts during an evening session.

This inspirational event resulted in the development of the CHART walk newsletter, a quarterly publication developed to sustain the enthusiasm of participants who attended CHART walk events. 

The Energy is Growing
With new leadership comes new ideas and thus sustained energy and enthusiasm. The Task Force recognizes the need to continuously add new stakeholders to sustain the work of the coalition. In the process of planning walks, we have found that new interest is sparked. We have made it our responsibility to mobilize new volunteers and move them toward commitment and regular involvement in the work of the Task Force. Anyone interested in becoming involved may call Jean Kane at (573) 221-2838.

CHART walk Program
The CHART walk activities are targeted toward residents ages 18-65. Our goal is to decrease the percentage of Northeast Missouri residents ages 18-65 who are engaged in physical activity less than three times per week from 59% to 55% before the fall of 2000.

Our activities include:
    walking tours and other organized walking activities
    CHART walk newsletter
    providing fitness/motivational speakers
    The CHART walkers Club
    worksite wellness

Walking tours and other organized walking activities
These walking events are the mainstay of our intervention. They lure residents from the comfort of their home and prove that walking can be fun.  Our first series of walks in 1998, "Discover Northeast Missouri CHART walks," organized walking tours of tourist spots in each county. The spring events have been family-oriented and have included mini-carnivals (complete with games and the local college mascot) and a tour through one of the oldest cemeteries in the area. Each event is currently planned, facilitated, promoted and totally funded by a different member of the coalition, often the health department for the particular county in which the event takes place.

C.H.A.R.T. Walk Fall Series 2001

Northeast Missouri Community Health Assistance Resource Team (CHART)

PO Box 551, Hannibal, MO 63401 Phone (573) 221-2838

Quarterly Newsletter
The CHART walk newsletter is mailed quarterly to 150 individuals and distributed to approximately 600 businesses through the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce. The newsletter promotes CHART walk events, congratulates walkers on achievements, educates readers about exercise and nutrition, and shares good walking ideas.

To receive this free newsletter, please call Jean Kane at Hannibal
Regional Hospital, (573) 221-2838.

Educational Offerings
Nationally recognized walking expert Rob Sweetgall inspired 45 area residents during a day-long workshop designed to provide regional walking leaders with tools to encourage others in their areas to begin walking for cardiovascular fitness in November 1997. He spoke to 80 area walkers during a shorter evening session. The Wellness Task Force plans to invite other walking/fitness experts to our region to encourage and reinforce the importance of initiating or maintaining a walking routine. Walkers need to be recharged at least once a year with this type of inspiration and education. Look for events announcements in your local media.

Walking Club
Walkers may join the club, free of charge, by participating in CHART walk events or by signing up through their local health department or Wellness Task Force member. They may also join by calling Jean Kane at (573) 221-2838.

As a CHART walker member, participants will receive: an identification card (to carry with them when walking) and a one-year coupon booklet for discounts or free goodies from local businesses. These coupons will be donated from places such as TCBY, several local shoe stores, Subway restaurant, etc., that promote healthy lifestyles. They will also receive the newsletter and special notification of educational offerings. Incentives will be provided for persons reaching walking milestones, and recognition events will be planned for leaders and dedicated walkers. 

Wellness Task Force Members
Active Members
Hannibal Regional Hospital
Hannibal Clinic
Marion County Health Department
Monroe County Health Department
Ralls County Health Department
Lewis County Health Department
Shelby County Health Department
Clark County Health Department
Culver-Stockton College
New Era Healthcare Foundation
University Outreach and Extension
Levering Regional Healthcare Center
American Cyanamid, Inc.
Blessing Hospital
Northeast District Health Office

Affiliate members
Sue Minor, community member
YMCA

Northeast Missouri Community Health Assistance Resource Team (CHART)

PO Box 551, Hannibal, MO 63401 Phone (573) 221-2838