b'prevention. By incorporating physical activity into our lives, we fortify ourselves against the possibility of heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes. While many Americans have included physical activity in their lifestyles, most have not yet reached the recommended level. As a community, we can encourage activitynot strictly exercisein our schools, workplaces, parks, and neighborhoods. We can walk, garden, play, dance and most importantly, move.57Where we stand now: The proportion of adults in Cheshire County who are participating in any physical activity has declined very slightly in the past few years. Cheshire Countys goal: At least 80% of adults in will regularly engage inNumber of Days When Air Quality Was Goodrecommended level of physical activity.583653504.3 Good Air Quality DaysIncrease the availability of clean, breathable air 300Days each Year250Why is this important? Air quality is a public health concern that needs to be200continually monitored to mitigate damaging health effects from pollutants like ozone,150sulfur dioxide, and dust particles. By measuring the number of good air quality days in a county, we learn more about one of the mostimportant environmental factors100influencing individual health and welfare. Air pollution can prevent people from doing50the very activities that most keep them healthy, like playing or exercising outdoors.Air0pollution can aggravate previous conditions, like asthma, lung and heart disease.1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008Though not all sources of pollutants are locally based, residents can protect air qualityCheshire Countyby reducing pollutants from sources like car emissions, coal, wood or oil burning, forest fires, or agricultural burning.59Where we stand now:Cheshire County has seen a precipitous drop in the past decade of measured good air quality.Cheshire Countysgoal: We will experience 300 days or more of good air quality. 60Engaging Our Community In Health3988222_CMC2.indd 41 2/1/10 12:27 PM'