Six new cities, including South Jordan, have earned the Healthy Utah Community designation, while 11 cities were redesignated as Healthy Utah Communities. The awards were announced Friday, April 19, at the Utah League of Cities and Towns Midyear Conference in St. George. Mapleton, Orem, Saratoga Springs, Smithfield, South Jordan and West Point have each earned the Healthy Utah Community designation. 

 “[The designation] is something we decided to do because we are proud of the programs we’re doing. It’s been something we’ve had as a high priority for quite some time,” South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey said.

The Healthy Utah Community designation is presented by Get Healthy Utah and the Utah League of Cities and Towns. The program recognizes cities and towns that are promoting policies and programs that support good health for their residents. 

One of South Jordan’s strategies to promote health in their community is offering weekday lunches for seniors at the local community center. 

To earn the three-year designation, each city or town formed a community health coalition and implemented health strategies in the areas of access to healthy food, active living and mental health. After three years, to be redesignated, a city or town must demonstrate a continued dedication to building a healthy community.

Included in the 11 cities to be redesignated were Salt Lake County neighbors Herriman, Millcreek, Sandy and South Salt Lake.  λ