By becoming a Certified Healthy recipient, you will receive recognition as a community that goes “above and beyond” to create a healthy, nurturing environment.
Certified Healthy Communities have the opportunity to apply for an incentive grant.
Certified Healthy Community award recipients are invited to professional development opportunities to grow in their wellness efforts.
Investing in wellness will enhance your community’s image.
Certified Healthy Communities are able to utilize their wellness achievements and certification to recruit businesses, residents, and visitors.
As a Certified Healthy Community, you can raise awareness about being healthier and support residents that are working towards healthier lifestyles.
Certified Healthy Communities 2021 Map
Communities that are an incorporated city, town, or municipality in Oklahoma that has a governing body that allows it to make decisions and set ordinances are encouraged to apply to become a Certified Healthy Community. If a city administrative office within a municipality wishes to become a Certified Healthy Business, the city office may apply as one single entity.
Communities will be certified in the following categories based on size:
Sub-Rural: Less than 500
Rural: 501 – 4,300
Small: 4,300 – 13,999
Medium: 14,000 – 29,999
Large: 30,000 – 79,999
Metro: 80,000+
Smokefree/Tobacco-free
- Communities must adopt and implement an ordinance that prohibits smoking indoors and outdoors on city-owned/operated properties in order to apply. To achieve Excellence, a community must adopt and implement a tobacco-free ordinance that prohibits the use of tobacco and vapor products on all indoor and outdoor city-owned/operated properties. Additionally, communities must submit a copy of their tobacco-free ordinance in order to receive Excellence. These restrictions against smoking and tobacco include marijuana and cannabis derived products. Tobacco -Free ordinance must include covering All Products (Your smoke-free policy should prohibit use of any products including commercial tobacco products as well as vapes and e-cigarettes. Your policy may also prohibit smoking marijuana if you wish.), All People (Your smoke-free policy should be applicable to anyone who may be on the property including employees, students, volunteers, guests, residents, and others as needed.), All Property (Your smoke-free policy should prohibit use on any of your property, indoor and outdoor, whether owned or leased and should include organization owned or leased vehicles.), and All Times (Your smoke-free policy should prohibit use 24/7 so there is no exception allowing smoking or other tobacco use at specific times.). For assistance with developing or edit a tobacco policy please visit Breathe Easy or e-mail OnlyAir@health.ok.gov.
- Note: The OSDH acknowledges the traditional and sacred use of tobacco among American Indian people living in Oklahoma. Whenever the word tobacco is referenced it refers to the use of commercial tobacco.
Communities are scored according to the population size of the community, with six categories ranging from Sub-Rural (population less than 500) up to Metro (population of 80,000 and over) and the number of points received per section. There are four primary sections of the Communities application: (1) Tobacco and Alcohol; (2) Nutrition and Physical Activity; (3) Community Resources; and (4) Education/Awareness. There are 83 total criteria. Each criterion selected is worth one point, with the exception of the criteria that specifies “check one”. In those cases, the first option (i.e. “none”) is scored as 0 points, second option (i.e. “some”) as 1 point, and third option (i.e. “all”) as 2 points. The ability to achieve Basic or Excellence status requires that specific criteria listed below are selected as part of meeting the minimum number of points within each section. Communities will be required to upload documentation for their tobacco-free ordinance.
Prerequisite for BASIC/MERIT:
- Municipality has adopted and implemented an ordinance that prohibits the use of tobacco and vapor products on all indoor and outdoor city-owned/operated properties (Copy of Ordinance will need to be uploaded as part of the application). Tobacco -Free ordinance must include covering All Products (Your smoke-free policy should prohibit use of any products including commercial tobacco products as well as vapes and e-cigarettes. Your policy may also prohibit smoking marijuana if you wish.), All People (Your smoke-free policy should be applicable to anyone who may be on the property including employees, students, volunteers, guests, residents, and others as needed.), All Property (Your smoke-free policy should prohibit use on any of your property, indoor and outdoor, whether owned or leased and should include organization owned or leased vehicles.), and All Times (Your smoke-free policy should prohibit use 24/7 so there is no exception allowing smoking or other tobacco use at specific times.). For assistance with developing or edit a tobacco policy please visit Breathe Easy or e-mail OnlyAir@health.ok.gov.
Prerequisite for EXCELLENCE:
- Municipality has adopted and implemented an ordinance that prohibits the use of tobacco and vapor products on all indoor and outdoor city-owned/operated properties (Copy of Ordinance will need to be uploaded as part of the application)
- Affordable fresh fruits and vegetables are available within the community
- Municipality has conducted a walkability assessment
- The municipality and community members are engaged in a local strategic planning process addressing public health needs including assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating public health activities
- Safe storage and proper disposal of prescription drugs is promoted within the community according the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines provided on TakeAsPrescribed.org
Community Size
- Sub-Rural
- Basic: 7 criteria for each section
- Merit: 8 criteria for each section
- Excellence: 9 criteria for each section
- Rural
- Basic: 8 criteria from each section
- Merit: 9 criteria from each section
- Excellence: 11 criteria from each section
- Small
- Basic: 9 criteria from each section
- Merit: 11 criteria from each section
- Excellence: 13 criteria from each section
- Medium
- Basic: 10 criteria from each section
- Merit: 12 criteria from each section
- Excellence: 14 criteria from each section
- Large
- Basic: 11 criteria from each section
- Merit: 13 criteria from each section
- Excellence: 15 criteria from each section
- Metro
- Basic: 12 criteria from each section
- Merit: 14 criteria from each section
- Excellence: 16 criteria from each section
The Oklahoma State Department of Health Center for Certified Healthy Oklahoma Team provides assistance and consultation regarding wellness to any Oklahoma business, health department, state or community agency, organization, association, or coalition. We can provide the following services:
Sample policies related to physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco
Resources on how to begin or enhance a wellness program, including the adoption of policies related to physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco
Content expertise and information regarding best practices.
Information and technical assistance – trends, data, and best practices
Training, materials, and tool kits
Data related to physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco
Best practices being implemented and/or suggested by the State of Oklahoma
Information or technical assistance regarding the Certified Healthy process
Helpful Documents
What is Certified Healthy Community?
In 2010, Governor Fallin signed into law Oklahoma State statute, 63 O.S. 2060, “Oklahoma Certified Healthy Communities Act”, which established a voluntary certification program for communities that promote wellness, encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors, and establish safe and supportive environments. This annual certification process recognizes Oklahoma communities for their outstanding efforts and achievements in actively creating communities that are a healthy place to live, work, learn, and play. Any incorporated city, town, or municipality in Oklahoma that has a governing body that allows it to make decisions and set ordinances may apply for Certified Healthy Community status. The program is administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Certified Healthy Oklahoma Team.
Why Does Certified Healthy Matter?
Currently, the major causes of death and disability in Oklahoma are due to chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes, and a significant proportion of these conditions are preventable. By becoming a Certified Healthy Community, you are providing a healthy environment for your residents, thereby supporting better choices and an overall healthier Oklahoma. By meeting most or all of the criteria to become Certified Healthy, communities provide an established environment to foster behavior modification, in addition to ordinance adoption and implementation. Certified Healthy Community provides an opportunity to reach not only the residents of the community, but also those who work, learn and play within the community. Additionally, Certified Healthy Community encourages the implementation of ordinances, policies, programs, and procedures that touch not only community residents, but also employees and visitors to the community. By providing a community environment rooted in evidence-based health and wellness principles, you are contributing to Oklahoma’s future.
The State of Health in Oklahoma
Oklahoma currently ranks 47 out of 50 on America’s Health Rankings1. This is a decline from last year when Oklahoma was ranked 431. Out of all 50 states, this was the biggest decline in rankings from last year1. The decline can be attributed primarily to an 11% increase in the obesity rate, and a 14% increase in the physical inactivity rate1. Our poor health outcomes are hurting our families, finances, and future.
Premature deaths in the US overall have increased by 3% since last year from 7,214 to 7,432 years lost before age 75 per 100,000 population1. This is due to increasing deaths due to drugs, increases in suicides, and an uptick in occupational fatalities. In Oklahoma, 9,992 years are lost before age 75 per 100,000 population1.
The leading cause of death in Oklahoma is heart disease, followed by cancer2. In fact, more than 1 in 4 Oklahoma deaths in 2017 were due to heart disease2. Cancer accounted for more than 1 in 5 Oklahoma deaths in 20172, and many cancer deaths are related to cigarette smoking3.
The third leading cause of death in Oklahoma is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 2017, there were 3,035 deaths due to COPD in Oklahoma, accounting for 7.7% of deaths2. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD and secondhand smoke contributes to the disease, as well.4
In 2017, Oklahoma had the 8th highest diabetes prevalence in the nation at 12.7%5. Type II diabetes accounts for 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases and obese and overweight adults are at increased risk for Type II diabetes6. In 2017, approximately 85% of Oklahomans with diabetes were also overweight or obese.7
Chronic disease is often preventable, but Oklahomans’ health behaviors are contributing to the state’s chronic disease morbidity and mortality. It is especially worth noting that three behaviors (poor diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco use) contribute to four chronic diseases (heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes, and lung disease) that cause approximately 60% of all deaths in Oklahoma.2
In 2017, just 54% of Oklahomans ate fruit one or more times per day7. In addition, 17% of adults ate vegetables less than once per day7. In the same year, almost 71% of Oklahomans were either overweight or obese7. In 2017, more than 1 in 4 adults reported that they did not participate in leisure time physical activity during the past month7. In 2017, 1 in 5 adults were current smokers7. Unhealthy eating, a sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco use are a recipe for chronic disease. However, we can work together to improve behaviors and the health of Oklahomans. The change starts with YOU!
Communities that are Certified Healthy see a return on their investment via healthier residents, staff and visitors. By contributing to the wellness of those in your community, you are helping to create a better, brighter Oklahoma. Communities that advocate for health are recognized as leaders in Oklahoma!
References
United Health Foundation. America’s Health Ranking 2018 Annual Report. Available at https://www.americashealthrankings.org/learn/reports/2018-annual-report
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2017 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released December, 2018. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2017, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Available at http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html
Lortet-Tieulent J, Goding Sauer A, Siegel RL, Miller KD, Islami F, Fedewa SA, Jacobs EJ, Jemal A. State-Level Cancer Mortality Attributable to Cigarette Smoking in the United States. JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(12):1792-1798. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.6530
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking and COPD. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/copd.html
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The State of Obesity. Available at https://www.stateofobesity.org/diabetes/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2021. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), Center for Health Statistics, Health Care Information, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2017, on Oklahoma Statistics on Health Available for Everyone (OK2SHARE). Available at https://www.health.state.ok.us/