Program Details

Practice Type:	Model
Program Name:	300-Mile Club
Organization:	Louisville Metro Health Department
Web site:	www.health.loukymetro.org
Overview:	The 300-Mile Club is a walking program designed to encourage lifestyle changes that promote healthier living for individuals who lack knowledge about nutrition and the effects of obesity and who cannot afford to join health clubs. The program will achieve its goal by introducing walking as a form of exercise by educating participants about good nutrition and by providing pertinent health information through literature and speakers. Northwest Louisville’s total population is 10,155, with an African American population of 9,664. The 300-Mile Club reached approximately 2 percent of African Americans and approximately 25% of that total population. The key elements of this program are a coordinator to organize activities, media coverage, data collection, incentives to encourage participation, and a newsletter for educational and promotional purposes.
Year Submitted:	2004
Responsiveness and Innovation:	Obesity is becoming the number one cause of death in America. In Louisville Metro, the obesity percentage of African Americans surpasses that of metro Caucasians and of the overall national percentage. In 2000, the obesity rate of African Americans in Louisville Metro spiked to 38 percent and the overweight rate was at 32 percent for African Americans. Caucasians in Metro Louisville have an overweight rate of 31 percent and an obesity rate of about 21 percent. Of African Americans in Louisville Metro, approximately 1 percent die from complications of obesity such as stroke and heart disease. In response, the 300-Mile Walking Club Program was created to encourage lifestyle changes that promote healthier living by promoting walking for exercise and educating participants about proper nutrition.
Agency and Community Roles:	It is important to choose partners that can bring components that are not necessarily needed but are desirable. The perks and incentives that the partners offer encourage participation and motivation and have come to be the heart of this walking program. All the administration work is done by the LMHD, including scheduling the walks, assessing the areas, and managing the data. LMHD also seeks partners who encourage physical activity and healthy living. LMHD also takes care of all the publicity for the 300-Mile Club (in which, incidentally, partners are always mentioned). The walking coach and owner of “Let’s Sweat,” aerobics instructor Renée Appling, assisted in the planning and implementation stages. She works closely with the coordinator on the walking schedule and is present at every walk as a constant motivator for participants. The American Heart Association provides speakers on special nights to discuss various subjects relating to obesity. They also provide incentives that the LMHD cannot purchase due to budget cuts. Shawnee Community School provides the venue for group celebrations of goal achievements and is also a place to walk during inclement weather. As partner, the school pays the salary of the walking coach, provides catering for the celebrations, bottled water for the weekend walks, t-shirts for participants in the summer, and sweatshirts in the winter. The community school also offers the walking club as a class. When possible, the University of Louisville Medical students will conduct the medical monitoring (i.e., blood pressure, pulse, and weight).
Costs and Expenditures:
Implementation:	Obesity is becoming the number one cause of death in America. In Louisville Metro, the obesity percentage of African Americans surpasses that of metro Caucasians and of the overall national percentage. In 2000, the obesity rate of African Americans in Louisville Metro spiked to 38 percent and the overweight rate was at 32 percent for African Americans. Caucasians in Metro Louisville have an overweight rate of 31 percent and an obesity rate of about 21 percent. Of African Americans in Louisville Metro, approximately 1 percent die from complications of obesity such as stroke and heart disease. In response, the 300-Mile Walking Club Program was created to encourage lifestyle changes that promote healthier living by promoting walking for exercise and educating participants about proper nutrition.
Sustainability:
Lessons Learned:

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