Having a Healthy Main Street
IN THE CITY
by Martin Puckett
How would you describe a healthy main street? People walking around shopping, parking lots filled, inviting green spaces, and store fronts filled with vibrant displays? What about the health of the business owners, staff and patrons?
The latest demographic shows we are an aging population and the average age of our workforce is aging too. While the city offers a program for downtown facade improvements, there is a new program under way to invest in our greatest asset in the downtown — the people.
The cost of health care and absenteeism is a significant drain on the bottom line for most small businesses, most of whom would rather invest their precious financial resources to strengthen their business and improve their buildings,” stated Roxanne Eflin, senior program director of the Maine Development Foundation’s Maine Downtown Center.
In the beginning of the year, the Maine Development Foundation’s Maine Downtown Center, in collaboration with Medical Care Development Public Health, launched Healthy Maine Streets, an innovative new initiative to support health and wellness in Maine’s communities. This grant, specifically focused on small downtown businesses, is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Transformation Grants program to support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases and promote healthier lifestyles. The collaborating partners have identified health issues as critical step towards improving the lives of Maine citizens and our economy.
According to HealthCare.gov, more than half of American adults have at least one chronic disease. In the United States, 7 out of 10 deaths are caused by chronic diseases each year. Seventy-five cents of every dollar spent on medical costs in this country is being used to treat chronic diseases and associated risk factors.
While direct costs of chronic disease are high, the indirect costs of chronic conditions may be several times higher than the direct medical costs. These diseases lead to lost productivity, such as missed days of work or school, disability, reduced work output, reduced quality of life, and premature death.
Presque Isle was one of 18 communities awarded the Healthy Maine Streets grant for $10,000 per year for a two year period. The Maine Downtown Center recognized the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee’s (PIDRC) hard work and dedication.
The PIDRC is currently forming a committee to kick start the program. Some possible activities could be geared toward worksite wellness and preventative care, such as proper nutrition and physical activity. Some other fun activities currently discussed are mapping a walking path in the downtown, healthy cooking demonstrations, and weight loss and walking competitions between businesses.
More information on this program will be coming soon!
Martin Puckett is Presque Isle’s deputy city manager. He can be reached at 760-2780 or via e-mail at mpuckett@presqueisleme.us.
