Goal: 

By 2021, Cooperative Extension will have strengthened the ability of Rhode Islanders to take actions that promote healthy lifestyles and result in improved nutrition and physical activity, reduced risk of vector-borne diseases and improved physical, social and emotional health. 

Sub-goals: 

• Contributed to reduction of obesity-related disease in Rhode Island by teaching behavior-change techniques that increase intake of nutrient-dense foods and increase physical activity. Interactive community-based activities and social media are among the means that will be employed to achieve this result
• Increased “tick literacy” among Rhode Islanders and others to promote behaviors that prevent tick-borne disease using engaging, multi-channel education and technical assistance programs targeted especially to community members of high-risk towns, outdoor workers, health professionals, school children and pest managers, and
• Improved the physical, social and emotional well-being of 4-H youth ages 5 to 19 by expanding activities, events and educational experiences related to the “Healthy Living” mission mandate.