3-4-50: Prevent Chronic Disease (From the Vermont Department of Health)

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3-4-50 Initiative banner which states the following: 3 Behaviors. No physical activity, poor diet, tobacco use lead to: 4 Diseases. cancer, heart disease & stroke, type 2 diabetes, lung disease result in: more than 50 percent of deaths in Vermont.

Vermonters know that health isn't just personal - it's something we build together. 

The Department of Health's 3-4-50 initiative focuses on three behaviors (tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity) that are linked to four chronic diseases (cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. Together, they account for over half of all deaths in Vermont.

That's the data. But the real story is how much of this shows up in our everyday lives and our communities.

Where It Shows Up
You can see 3-4-50 in places we already know:
  • A community garden getting people closer to fresh food
  • A well-used trail or sidewalk that makes it easier to move a little more
  • A workplace that encourages people to step away, take a walk, or eat lunch together
  • Local decisions that make the healthy choice the easy choice
These things don't feel like "health initiatives," but they add up to something real.

A Shared Effort
In a small state like ours, these changes ripple. One garden, one walking group, one small shift at work - it doesn't stay small for long. 

If you're looking for a place to start, it doesn't have to be big:
  • Invite someone to take a quick walk
  • Try something new from a local farm
  • Join in on a wellness activity, even just once
This is the heart of 3-4-50: not doing everything perfectly, but making it a little easier - for ourselves and for each other - to be well. 

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