Gear Up for the 2007

Governor's Community
Health Bowl

Mark your calendars—the third annual Governor's Community Health Bowl is fast approaching, and it's time to start warming up for the big event! This year’s Health Bowl kicks off statewide on Washington Health Day, Sept. 18, and wraps up six weeks later, on Nov. 1.

What is the Governor's Community Health Bowl? It’s an annual competition that challenges all participants in the Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign to (1) make improvements to their individual health, and (2) work toward systemic improvements in Washington's collective health. We refer to these dual efforts as "Promoting Healthy Living" and "Building Healthy Systems", and we provide an interactive website where participants can earn "miles" toward each of these major health goals.

The first annual Health Bowl was launched in 2005, when Governor Christine Gregoire challenged the residents and communities of Washington to log One Million Miles of Health. Washingtonians answered—and exceeded—the governor's challenge by logging in to WHF's website to track physical activity and answer Healthy Systems questions, collectively logging a total of 1.2 million miles.

In 2006, the governor more than doubled the previous year's challenge, setting a goal of 2.5 Million Miles. In answer to her challenge, Washington's individuals, schools, businesses, organizations, and government agencies enthusiastically went to task, exceeding her goal by more than a half million miles!

This year's Health Bowl promises to be even more challenging than ever, as the Healthiest State Campaign has set a goal to earn 25 Million Miles during the year 2007. Still growing by leaps and bounds, the Campaign now has more than 850 Participating Organizations, 200 Schools, and nearly 30,000 individual Champions on board as it warms up for the 2007 Health Bowl. And these participants have more ways than ever to accumulate miles during the Health Bowl!

Each year, the Healthiest State Campaign offers new ways for participants to earn their miles toward Healthy Systems and Healthy Living. Already available on HealthiestState.org are health trackers for physical activity, weight loss, water consumption, and sleep habits. Also in the works are trackers for nutrition, oral health, and tobacco cessation, and more! Participants will also be able to earn bonus miles by setting and meeting their personal health goals, inviting their friends and family to join the Campaign, and correctly answering the weekly Health Q&A.

How many miles will Washington log during this year's Governor's Community Health Bowl? It's up to YOU to decide—log-in to HealthiestState.org to warm up and get started!