Health & Human services

North Long Beach Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) Zone Initiative

HEAL Zone Overview

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) in partnership with the Coalition for a Healthy North Long Beach (Coalition) was awarded $2 million from Kaiser Permanente to launch and support a Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Zone Initiative in North Long Beach.  The North Long Beach HEAL Zone, which is one of several HEAL Zones in Southern California, is designed to help make healthy choices accessible to people in underserved communities and, in turn, prevent obesity related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

The HEAL Zone vision is a community where people eat better and move more as part of their daily life.  To achieve this vision, the Health Department and Coalition strive to reach the following HEAL Zone goals: 

• Increase the consumption of healthy food and beverages
• Increase physical activity
• Improve the prevention, treatment, and management of obesity and its related conditions

HEAL Zone Accomplishments

The HEAL Zone Initiative (2012-2018) resulted in several accomplishments including the: 

• Installation of fitness equipment and hydration stations at Houghton and Coolidge Parks
• Initiation of the North Long Beach Open Space Master Plan
• Removal of flavored milk from the breakfast program at HEAL Zone schools
• Implementation of the Healthy Lifestyle Prescription Program at The Children's Clinic
• Establishment of a crop swap where residents exchange their own grown produce
• Planning of pedestrian improvements on highly traveled streets
• Activation of a HEAL Zone youth leadership group
• Beautification of routes to schools

Heal Zone Video

Long Beach Heal Zone Films

For More Information Contact 

Nutrition Related Resources

• DHHS Healthy Active Long Beach
• DHHS WIC Program
• Cal Fresh Program (formerly Food Stamp Program)
• We Can!
• My Plate