The City of Brighton has completed the 2024 Move with the Mayor® (MWTM) Spring Mental Health and Physical Activity Challenge by reaching the Gold Level for its efforts to build active, connected communities. 

 

This accomplishment underscores the city’s commitment to enhancing social connectivity, physical activity, and mental well-being among its residents. The Roadmap is an integral part of the challenge, developed by the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (National Forum), in partnership with the American Public Health Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Stroke Prevention. 

 

MWTM features spring and fall healthy lifestyle challenges designed to unite American communities in a mission to boost movement, improve health outcomes, and promote the joy of physical activity. The Spring Challenge included completing “Connect, Move, Thrive: A Roadmap to Active Connected Communities,” inspired by the U.S. Surgeon General’s call to action to tackle loneliness and isolation through social connection.  

 

Participating mayors submitted self-assessments of their city’s healthy lifestyle programs and policies to the National Forum. The Roadmap is a strategic guide for cities, helping them identify and enhance programs, policies, or activities that encourage social connectivity through physical activity.  

 

Cities earned points based on their achievements in four main areas: 

The National Forum uses the Roadmap to celebrate successes and refine future programming for participating cities. In the recent Spring Challenge, 47 cities took part and organized over 100 healthy lifestyle events nationwide.  

 

Notable spring activities in Brighton included Pickleball with the Mayor and Dance Jam Fitness with the Mayor. 

 

“The Move with the Mayor initiative has been a wonderful tool for promoting healthier lifestyles in Brighton and we are proud to receive Gold Level recognition,” said Mayor Gregory Mills. “We look forward to continuing our efforts to enhance the well-being of our residents.” 

 

John M. Clymer, executive director of the National Forum, said the nonprofit is proud to see so many mayors actively engaging in MWTM and looks forward to improving future programming based on the cities’ successes. 

 

“By bringing attention to the importance of social connection and physical activity on mental health, cities like Brighton are leading the way in creating healthier, happier communities,” Clymer said. 

 

About Move with the Mayor®   

Mayors use Move with the Mayor®, an initiative of the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, to encourage active, healthy living while strengthening individual and community resilience. For 10 years and counting, mayors have been using MWTM messaging, programs, policy, infrastructure recommendations, and other tools to empower and protect community members from health threats and improve cardiovascular health, mental health, and health equity. To learn more, visit nationalforum.org/connect-with-mwtm.