The Coachella Valley Health Collaborative just completed its first Healthy Lifestyle Challenge, in which hundreds of local residents participated. More than 573 desert residents took a combined total of more than 125 million steps and the equivalent of over 58,000 miles. A new challenge began on September 1st and the collaborative hopes to increase the numbers even more!

These challenges are geared toward local organizations, businesses and residents. They aim to improve the health of Coachella Valley residents by promoting physical fitness, sports and an overall healthy lifestyle.

In March of this year, the collaborative launched an interactive website, sponsored by the Desert Healthcare District, to motivate people to improve their health by becoming more active. The website records an individual’s activity and converts it to steps on interactive maps. Individuals can see their progress and see how they match up against others participating in the various challenges.

Some of the challengers include those from various valley organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Braille Institute, Family YMCA of the Desert, HEALNet Project to name a few.

All Coachella Valley residents are encouraged to participate in a challenge. It’s not too late to sign up for the September session and the program is free.

There are various programs to choose from including pre-designed challenges, or the ability to create your own. People can challenge friends and colleagues by walking, running, swimming, hiking, biking and even shopping. It all counts towards the final goal. Challengers can also track their progress online, communicate with other participants online, and receive weekly motivating reminders and health tips.

The mission of the Coachella Valley Collaborative is to provide a meaningful forum for individuals, agencies, and organizations to improve the health and well-being of residents of eastern Riverside County. The Coachella Valley Health Collaborative serves the multiple and diverse communities of the Coachella Valley through education and public advocacy and by acting as a catalyst to improve the health status of all residents and their accessibility to quality, state-of-the-art healthcare. A major goal is to improve health by increasing community collaboration and decreasing duplication and fragmentation of services.

The collaborative is supported by grants from the Desert Healthcare District, Regional Access Project Foundation and Kaiser Permanente. The Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus provides professional oversight, financial services, office space and other services.

To register for the challenge visit www.mywellsite.com/cvhv. For more information about the Coachella Valley Health Collaborative, contact Gary Jeandron, Project Director, at (760) 341-2883, ext. 78163; [email protected] or visit cvhc.csusb.edu.