Posted 9 February, 2026
Iowa has been selected to participate in the 2026 Active People, Healthy Nation Walkability Action Institute, a national training and technical assistance program led by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. Iowa joins Tennessee as the newest state participants as the Walkability Action Institute enters its 12th year.
WAI brings together cross-disciplinary teams that include representatives from public health, planning, transportation and engineering, along with decision makers. Iowa will recruit local teams to build practical action plans that move walkability priorities into feasible policy, systems and environmental changes. In Iowa, WAI will engage the six counties participating in the Leveraging Activities and Partnerships to Address Obesity program, known as LEAP, as the first implementation sites, with tools and lessons designed to scale through neighboring counties and similar regional teams statewide.
Iowa’s participation in WAI is hosted through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach via LEAP, Iowa’s CDC funded High Obesity Program initiative. Muscatine, Cedar, Franklin, Crawford, Clinton and West Pottawattamie counties are part of the initiative, which supports community driven approaches that improve nutrition and physical activity environments. LEAP coordinators in all six counties work with community partners to implement policy, systems and environmental changes to address obesity.
Creating walkable communities
Improving the safety and friendliness of Iowa’s roads and trails by accommodating on-road bikeways and adding sidewalks helps to reduce crashes and eliminate fatalities, said Milly Ortiz, Iowa DOT bicycle and pedestrian planning coordinator. Successfully implementing bicycle and pedestrian accommodations into the transportation system depends on how the accommodations are selected, designed and constructed. Coordinating with regional agencies and local partners helps to streamline maintenance and implementation of programs, policies and infrastructure projects, and to increase consistency.
Iowa’s participation is designed to strengthen coordination across state agencies and local partners. Leaders will focus on rural communities where chronic disease rates are high and where safe walking and biking networks may be limited. The initiative will support shared goals tied to safety, access to everyday destinations, community vitality, and readiness for competitive grants and implementation funding.
“Walkable communities are essential for helping older Iowans age in place. When infrastructure prioritizes walkability, accessibility and safety, our neighborhoods become more livable for people of all ages, strengthening public health and community vitality,” said Michael Wagler, AARP Iowa state director.
Since its launch, WAI has trained 750 participants across 112 teams from 34 states and two territories through 17 training events. Participating teams have documented more than 1,400 outcomes, reaching over 60 million people and leveraging more than $540 million in funding, representing an estimated 177:1 return on investment.
More about Iowa’s LEAP Program
The ongoing efforts of Iowa LEAP demonstrate a commitment to fostering a healthier Iowa by addressing the root causes of obesity and empowering communities to make lasting improvements in health and wellness, noted Lyndi Buckingham-Schutt, assistant professor and extension specialist in food and health.
“These initiatives aim to create sustainable changes that enhance access to nutritious food and safe, accessible places for physical activity. This approach not only tackles obesity but also improves access to important health-related resources, supports local economic growth and fosters a more vibrant, resilient community,” Buckingham-Schutt said.