Mayors across the U.S. are building community connection and boosting local health, thanks to a program that helps them lead the way with residents.

Launched 11 years ago by a mayor in Indianapolis, Move With the Mayor has evolved from walks with city residents to a nationwide initiative that encourages active living. Dozens of mayors across the nation are now taking part, hosting bike rides, exercise challenges, running clubs and more.

Among the mayors participating are Mayor Denise Grant of Lauderhill, Florida, who became involved following a study that assessed the health needs of her community. In addition to offering healthy food at civic meetings and events, she has held community walks and tree plantings at City Hall.

“This is something that we want to be in the city long-term,” Grant told The Nation's Health.

In Noblesville, Indiana, Mayor Chris Jensen hosted an event with the local Boys and Girls Club to engage youth in physical activity, connect them with local government and increase focus on their health.

“Oftentimes, students aren't going to sit down and want to talk about public policy, for example, but they do love to go race a mayor in a 40-yard dash,” Jensen told The Nation's Health. “They want to run. They like snow cones. They like trying to out push-up a firefighter and those type of things."

Move With the Mayor, supported by APHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, appeals to a range of leaders, regardless of political party, according to John Clymer, executive director of the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, which leads the initiative.

“Move With the Mayor is an outlier right now — in a good way — in that it is a vehicle for us to continue to advance evidence-based public health in communities of very diverse political views, as well as diverse geography of demographics,” Clymer told The Nation's Health.

Community residents and public health advocates are encouraged to tell their mayors about the program and get them to take part. Communications toolkits, with sample social media posts and graphics on the importance of being active and socially connected, make it easy for communities to be part of the initiative.

"You kind of have to meet people where they're at," Jensen said.

Photo caption: Acquanetta Warren, mayor of Fontana, California, holds a Move With the Mayor sign during a yoga session in the city. (Photo courtesy of the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention)