Salt Lake Valley Health Department

One Small Change - For the Health of It

Ideas to Encourage One Small Change

Making just one small change is simple and can improve health. Here are some ideas for communities and business to get started by encouraging individuals to adopt One Small Change – For the Health of It:

Spread the Word

Share healthy tips in community and/or business newsletters.
Discuss the One Small Change campaign at community, council or weekly meetings.
Involve senior centers in efforts to encourage healthy lifestyle changes within the community.
Involve community youth groups in efforts to improve community health.

Incentives

Offer coupons to city and county recreation centers (South Jordan, Riverton and West Valley or any Salt Lake County recreation center).
Put success stories on your website or intranet. Highlight a person that has been able to make small changes and has seen a big health difference – choose a different person each month.

Programs

Participate in planned community activities. Become a sponsor or encourage team participation.
Become involved with SLVHD's Weigh Active and Healthy Program - free for all Salt Lake County residents.
Offer and promote Salt Lake Valley Health Department’s free smoking cessation classes.
Start a worksite wellness program for your company. Worksite wellness program toolkit.
If your community has a healthy community initiative, get more people involved in the events. If you don’t have a healthy community initiative, start one. To learn more call (801) 468-2278.
Participate in the Salt Lake County Green Business program, which guides businesses to water conservation, pollution prevention, waste management, energy efficiency and sustainability. To learn more call (801) 313-6714.

Competitions

Participate in or create community competitions, like Healthy West Jordan’s “Weigh” Biggest Loser competition. In 2008, 127 participants lost over 980 lbs!
Create weight loss, exercise or “green” competitions at your company. Pit departments or divisions against each other and reward the winners with time off and/or other prizes.

Other Creative Ideas

Ensure all employees have access to a recycling bin at their desks.
Replace traditional light bulbs with energy efficient ones.
Toss out harsh cleaning products and replace them with environmentally-friendly ones. It doesn’t have to be expensive; many alternatives can be made at home.
Prepare an emergency 72 hour kit for your home and office. More information.
Purchase recycled or compostable paper products.
Make an effort to purchase local goods and services before turning to larger national suppliers.
Purchase renewable energy from the Blue Sky program.
Produce a community cookbook and/or newsletter where participants contribute healthy recipes.
Update and restock your family and/or work first aid kit.
Eliminate plastic bottled water and soda bottles in the office or at community meetings.
Have room outdoors? Plant a community or company garden to encourage the consumption of more fruits and vegetables.
Install light switch motion sensors to quickly and noticeably reduce your monthly energy bill.