A healthy community means more than good medical care; it involves giving everyone the opportunity to make healthy choices. Too many children and adults in the Fairfax community face preventable health risk factors such as inadequate physical activity; poor nutrition; heart disease; obesity; and tobacco, alcohol or drug use.

Consider the following statistics:

• Chronic diseases account for 7 of the 10 leading causes of death and are responsible for 86 percent of health care costs in the United States.
• In Fairfax County, 20 percent of adults are overweight. However, 85 percent report participating in regular physical activity.
• About one in ten adults in Virginia smokes.
• Thirteen percent of our residents lack health insurance, including 16 percent of adults and 5 percent of children.
• Only 27 percent of our kids eats at least 5 fruits and vegetables every day.

In addition to identifying strategies for preventing chronic diseases, the Live Healthy Fairfax effort is promoting policy, systems and environmental changes that will help the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax achieve its vision: Fairfax — an engaged and empowered community working together to achieve optimal health and well-being for all who live, work and play here.

You can make a difference in the health of our community. Join us!

Priority Issues