Blue Health Initiatives 2016-2017 Impact Report

July 1, 2016
GoNoodle partnership launched
to provide physical activity
resources to Kansas teachers
July 28, 2017
Partnership launched with
Kansas Association for Youth to
engage high school students in
Be the Spark Initiative
Healthy Lifestyles Initiatives Impact
What is Healthy Lifestyles?
Healthy habits are developed early in life and once
established are difficult to change. However, research
shows there is a sharp decline in physical activity starting
in elementary school and continuing through middle and
high school. 28 percent of Kansas youth are getting the
recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. This
suggests our social structure may not be supporting
physical activity for youth.
The Healthy Lifestyles Initiatives are working to address
these challenges by providing grants and resources to
inspire healthy behaviors that will endure for a lifetime.
19
year
old
BikeShareICT
60
year
old
New data shows
that the average
American at age
19 is as sedentary
as a 60-year old.
As a program of HealthICT, BikeShareICT is a collaborative
funding partnership between the City of Wichita, BCBSKS
and the Wichita Community Foundation that makes active
transportation available in Wichita.
An initial contribution of $194,000 was provided to
assist with the purchase of bikes and the corresponding
marketing support needed to promote the new bike-share
initiative. The program launched in May 2017 and here are
the preliminary results:
• As of Jan. 25, 2018: 8,155 trips, 4,126 active members
• 21 stations – 20 in downtown Wichita and one at
Sedgwick County Park
• 2nd highest ridership nationwide for Zagster systems
• Avg. age 20-23 years old
• Over 11 million calories burned since May 3, 2017
Be the Spark
In an effort to increase Kansas teens’ awareness of
the importance of leading an active lifestyle, the Be the
Spark Initiative challenges teens to engage their peers
in a healthier lifestyle. A two-year, $150,000 grant was
provided to the Kansas Association of Youth Alumni
Network in 2017 to support the following activities.
• Local Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) clubs
were given tools and resources to promote a
healthy lifestyle. Students were given a “challenge
booklet” and encouraged to share their experiences
with photos and videos online, using the
#BeTheSpark hashtag.
• Clubs have the opportunity to apply for mini-grants
in 2018 to create a project where their peers and
future generations have access to a fun way to
stay physically active. Clubs who completed the
#BeTheSpark challenges will be given preference in
the grant review process.
As of February 2018, 33 KAY clubs submitted a letter
of intent to apply for funding. Grant applications are
due March 15, 2018, and awards will be announced
May 1, 2018.
GoNoodle
GoNoodle’s online movement and mindfulness videos
activate children’s bodies and brains for use at school
and at home. The GoNoodle partnership was launched
in 2016 in 14 Kansas counties. After engaging more
than 55,000 students and 2,700 teachers in the first
year, BCBSKS was proud to expand the program
in 2017 to serve all 103 Kansas counties served by
BCBSKS. As a result, all elementary school teachers
throughout the BCBSKS service area now have free
access to the premium version of GoNoodle, helping
them get students moving while deepening learning
throughout the day. 2016 survey data shows that 97%
of participating teachers observed improvement in
students’ attitude toward physical activity and 96% of
teachers observed improvements in students’ social and
emotional health.
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