About Us

Healthy Ohioans- Small Steps, Big Strides is a multi-year, statewide initiative of Governor Bob Taft and the Ohio Department of Health to increase awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles and to change unhealthy habits for healthy ones-- one small step at a time.  The ultimate goal of Healthy Ohioans is to improve Ohio’s chronic disease rates related to lifestyles. 

Healthy Ohioans focuses on encouraging all Ohioans to be physically active, to eat nutritious foods, including the recommended five to nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and to prevent or stop the use of tobacco.

The program encourages participation in personal fitness and wellness activities in multiple settings where Ohioans already gather—in their work place, schools, social groups or community. Through the Governor’s Buckeye Best Healthy Schools Awards Program, annual recognition is given to exemplary schools across Ohio that have demonstrated a commitment to health and wellness programs for their students. The Governor’s Healthy Ohioans Business Council is a leadership group of 16 businesses appointed by Governor Taft to work with and encourage other Ohio businesses to adopt health and wellness programs for their employees.  To encourage state employees to take small steps toward big strides for better health, every state agency will offer health and/or wellness programs for a healthier state workforce.

Last Updated: 09/28/2005