What is a Healthy Alabama Community?
Healthy AL Communities is a program designed to empower cities and towns across Alabama to prioritize the health and well-being of their residents through strategic environmental, policy, and system changes. The initiative provides community leaders with essential resources, education, and technical assistance to implement meaningful health improvements.
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The City of Saraland received the second Healthy Community designation in November 2025.
How to Get Involved
Your city or town can register for the program and take actionable steps to improve community health. By leveraging partnerships and multi-sector involvement, participating communities can drive sustainable changes that benefit all residents.
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Participating communities receive a structured set of criteria—a “checklist”—that guides them toward earning the designation of a Healthy Alabama Community. This recognition highlights a community’s commitment to fostering a culture of health through collaborative efforts and evidence-based strategies that enhance health outcomes.
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Discover the path to earning a Healthy Alabama Communities designation— click here to explore the steps!
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Looking for more guidance? Access our Toolkit for Creating a Healthy Alabama Community for expert insights and resources!
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Ready to get started? Email: info@healthyalcommunities.org.
Saraland: A Healthy Alabama Community
The Healthy Alabama Community (HAC) designation recognizes cities that implement evidence-based strategies from the Alabama Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan (ALPAN) to improve community health. To qualify, cities must complete at least five recommendations across two or more priority areas.
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Saraland exceeded these requirements through initiatives focused on physical activity, nutrition access and breastfeeding support.
The city expanded opportunities for active living by partnering with the YMCA and The Land Sportsplex to offer free or low-cost fitness programs for residents of all ages. Walkability assessments near schools and parks, along with improved signage, lighting and trail connectivity, have made it safer and easier to walk and bike throughout the community.
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To increase access to healthy foods, Saraland collaborated with local grocers, farmers, churches and community organizations, while schools reinforced nutrition education through Smart Snack standards and hydroponic gardening programs. The city also added private nurturing rooms for breastfeeding mothers at public facilities, supporting families during community events and recreation.
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Through these coordinated efforts, Saraland has created lasting changes that make healthy choices more accessible where residents live, learn and play.
Helena Becomes Alabama's First Healthy Alabama Community Designee
The city of Helena has been recognized as the first Healthy Alabama Community in the state, earning the designation at the Alabama League of Municipalities’ 2024 Graduation and Awards Ceremonies. Under the leadership of Mayor Brian Puckett, Helena has prioritized community health by enhancing infrastructure, expanding access to physical activity, and supporting nutrition initiatives. The city has connected trails and sidewalks, allowing residents to walk or bike more easily throughout the community. Plans are also underway to build additional paved trails, giving people access to unique outdoor experiences such as visiting the Cahaba Lilies, kayaking from Buck Creek to the Cahaba River, or enjoying the city’s new 104-acre sports and leisure complex.
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Beyond physical activity, Helena is implementing initiatives to promote overall wellness. The city will install water bottle filling stations at public facilities, including the new sports complex and city hall, to encourage sustainable hydration. Additionally, plans are in place to provide a gathering space and meal services for senior citizens at the new city hall. To address food insecurity, Helena is partnering with a local church to support a community food pantry, ensuring all residents have access to nutritious food. Mayor Puckett emphasized the program’s impact, noting how it has united stakeholders from different areas of the city to work toward a shared goal of improving health and quality of life. Helena’s success sets a strong example for other Alabama communities looking to foster a culture of health and wellness.
The Lee Springs Park walking trail encourages outdoor exercise.
Helena is currently constructing a new city hall that will include a senior center on the first floor.
The Hillsboro Trail, a 2.5mile multi-use trail, connects Helena’s residential communities, schools and commercial areas and provides residents an opportunity for alternative transportation like bicycles and golf carts. A rockclimbing wall, created by local Eagle Scouts, is one of several fun and recreational activities available along the route.
The Lee Springs Park walking trail encourages outdoor exercise.
Who We Are
The Alabama Hospital Association, the Alabama Department of Public Health, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama have partnered with the Alabama League of Municipalities to provide the health component of the League’s Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) program. ACE is a three-year program designed to assist communities with a population of 2,000 - 18,000 enhance quality of life for its members.
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