Lincoln task force recommends 5 steps to improve youth health
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A task force of non-profit organization leaders, health providers at Bryan Health, instructors from Lincoln Public Schools, and others in the community have come together to make Lincoln children more fit.
The task force’s efforts were championed by the Community Health Endowment (CHE) of Lincoln.
In 2023, CHE released its bi-annual ‘Place Matters’ report, documenting the overall fitness of youth in the Capital City. It showed a decrease in students who were able to pass the fitness PACER test.
In 2022, 74 percent of students passed. That number sank to 65 percent the following year.
“Our goal is 80 percent,” said Kate Bolz, the President and CEO of CHE. “So, the community wanted to respond, and so a task force came together around youth fitness, sports, and opportunity.”
Bolz said not only did fitness scores fall, but research shows some areas in Lincoln were more affected than others.
“Our data shows there’s a lower fitness score, overall rate in passing the PACER test in lower-income communities, which tells us there may be some communities where we need to focus our energies.”
On Wednesday, during a press conference, the task force revealed five key recommendations to the community of Lincoln.
5 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Create a Backbone Organization: Establish a central body to drive efforts, secure funding, and measure progress (e.g., PACER test pass rates and swimming proficiency).
- Expand Fitness Opportunities in Schools and Early Childhood: Enhance physical activity in early childhood, strengthen K-12 programming, and promote collaboration between schools and families.
- Increase Community-Based Fitness Access: Support neighborhood-based opportunities by creating equipment banks, hosting fitness events, and reducing access barriers.
- Promote Physical Activity via Health Providers: Encourage healthcare professionals to “prescribe” fitness and educate families about available resources.
- Improve Access to Public Facilities: Revise agreements between Lincoln Public Schools and the City of Lincoln to promote equitable access to gyms, fields, and other amenities.
Bolz said recommendations can be considered especially important during the summer months when children might opt to stay indoors and look to electronics for fun.
“It can be a really hard thing, especially during the summer when things are less structured, to help kids leave those electronic toys at home and get out and kick a ball.”
CHE said they are waiting and searching for an organization to step up and take charge of the changes that Lincoln’s youth needs. They said that when the time comes, the organization will support their initiative.
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