Happy New Year! As 2012 comes to a close, it’s a time to reflect on all the successes of the previous year. Communities across the country have made big changes to improve the health of its residents- where they live, work, and play. It’s also a time to look at the challenges faced. Did your community unite during those challenges or was there division? What are the lessons learned? Considering all you have accomplished, chances are there is still much more to do.

This New Year, look past the personal resolutions and commit to something larger- a resolution to help make healthy changes in your community. Be re-inspired! Do you want a community that:

• Provides residents access to healthy food, including fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables?
• Offers numerous walking and biking paths for residents to safely use for physical activity?
• Supports the health of its workers through employee health programs?
• Is smoke-free?
• Encourages schools to commit to quality physical education, less screen-time in after-school programs, and healthy food options for children?

Keep up the momentum you started in 2012. 2013 is the year to make your community’s goals become reality.