
We work with many partners so that our communities will be a place where people of all ages and abilities can move safely and get healthy food.
- promote safe, pleasant and accessible places for all people to walk, roll or bicycle
- promote use of public transit
- ensure access to healthy and affordable food
- ensure safe, quality housing
We work with community organizations, municipal and regional planners, schools and health care providers. We begin with conversations to learn what is important to our community. From there, we find ways to weave in health and wellness improvements that fit the priorities of our towns, such as economic development. All Vermonters will thrive when our living condiitons help to eliminate differences in health for different groups of people.
Use the Public Health Data Explorer to learn about health and wellness where you live.
There are many ways the Newport office can help shape a healthier community. We can:
- share examples of language that promotes health with cities and towns in order to strengthen regional plans.
- provide public health data and information to inform planning.
- provide education about why sidewalks and healthy foods options in local markets are important.
- connect you with useful resources and provide examples of similar work done in other communities to help you on your way.
- look for funds to help town officials and organizations support health-promoting efforts

Healthy Foods: Health Care Shares: North Country Hospital and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps team up to provide food as prescriptions to increase health
Physical Activity: The Wellness Center offers affordable excersise classes for every age and ability
Walk/Bike Path: The Newport-Beebe Bike Path (about 6 miles in length), starts in Downtown Newport, winds it's way through the city and connects with the old railroad line.
What does 3-4-50 mean?
3 behaviors – lack of physical activity, poor diet, and tobacco use – lead to 4 chronic diseases – cancer, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, and lung disease – that are the cause of more than 50 percent of all deaths in Vermont.
This understanding inspires us to take action. Communities that are built to support physical activity, safe walking and biking, use of public transportation, and easy access to fresh foods are essential for good health.
See how Vermont Cities & Towns support health
RELATED RESOURCES
Active Living and Healthy Eating - Vermont Healthy Community Design Resource
Examples for Creating Healthy Communites: Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, Tobacco, Alchol & Drug Abuse Prevention - Vermont Healthy Community Design Resource
Complete Streets: Guide for Vermont Communities - to assist towns with examples
Physical Activity & Nutrition in Vermont Communities
Environmental Health in Vermont
Chronic Disease in Vermont - Data
LEARN MORE
Trail Finder
VT State Parks
Hunger Free Vermont
Safe Routes to School
CounterBalance - a campaign directed towards the tobacco industry’s influence on youth
Northern Counties Health Care and Dental Center
Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging
CONTACT US
802.334.6707