Healthy Suffolk is a county-wide initiative that covers a wide variety of health-related programs and tips designed to create a culture of wellness among residents, businesses and government. Healthy Suffolk seeks to create a united health message to help the public adopt healthier behaviors, as well as raise awareness of public health efforts and offer residents easy access to vital County health information and initiatives. The campaign is to remind the public that healthy living is different for each individual, but is designed to help keep health and wellness in the forefront of people’s minds.

The campaign is divided into three categories: Active Living, Live Well, Eat Smart

Healthy Suffolk – Active Living

• Suffolk County will host its inaugural marathon (& half) on Sunday, September 13, 2015 and will use the event as a platform to promote an active lifestyle as a result.
• In addition, the County’s Parks & Recreation Department has focused on offering a wide range options that run the healthy living gamut, including: hiking trails, running trails, horseback riding, row boat rentals, kayaking, scuba diving, and more.
• The Suffolk County Office of Minority Health is arranging health initiatives and basketball tournaments in Wyandanch and surrounding communities.

Healthy Suffolk – Live Well

• Suffolk County and its partners have introduced a number of programs to encourage residents to live well.
• The County has received national attention for signing the ‘Tobacco 21’ law in 2014, a critical tool to prevent young people from starting to smoke. In addition over 18,000 residents have participated in the County’s free smoking cessation programs.
• The County has introduced “Staying Independent for Life,” a two-hour workshop program designed to empower mature adults to carry out behaviors that reduce their risk of failing. The program focuses on building the participant’s confidence and ability to manage their everyday behavior. The program is open to the public.
• Premiering in January 2015, Suffolk County will release and distribute PSA’s on the top ten suggestions for a healthy lifestyle.
• Suffolk County’s Office of Minority Health’s is also working to improve health outcomes and eliminate existing health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities in Suffolk County. This is accomplished through a variety of activities including conferences, community health fairs and partnerships with local agencies, businesses and churches.

Healthy Suffolk – Eat Smart

• Through the passage of the Healthy Vending machine legislation through the U.S. Agriculture Department, Suffolk County schools are beginning to offer healthier options to combat the nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity.
• Suffolk County launched the Healthy ‘Corner Store’ Project, a unique program to encourage local businesses to distribute and promote fresh, healthy foods to residents who live in communities that lack affordable options.