Start walking for a healthier future for Iowa at the 2026 Healthiest State Annual Walk. Registration is now open for statewide walk on October 7 Registration for the 2026 Healthiest State Annual Walk, presented by Delta Dental of Iowa, is now open. On Wednesday, October 7, thousands of Iowans across the state will participate in organized 30 minute walks at schools, workplaces and in their communities to raise awareness of the importance of physical and mental well-being in Iowa. Registration is free and easy: Visit IowaHealthiestState.com/Walk to sign-up as a household, school, workplace, organization, or community to walk for 30 minutes any time on October 7. The 2026 theme,"Moving Iowa Forward," highlights the power of small, healthy choices to create meaningful change. Whether it's taking a walk, making healthier food choices, connecting with others, or prioritizing mental wellness, every positive step contributes to a stronger and healthier Iowa. The Healthiest State Annual Walk serves as a reminder that improving well-being doesn't require major changes overnight. By taking simple, consistent actions, Iowa Healthiest State can move Iowa forward toward a healthier future, together. "The Healthiest State Walk is a reminder that improving Iowa's health doesn't happen all at once," said Jami Haberl, Executive Director of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. "It happens through the small choices we make every day. Whether it's taking a walk, connecting with a neighbor, or prioritizing our mental well-being, every positive step matters. When thousands of Iowans come together for the Annual Walk, we show that those individual actions can create meaningful change and help move Iowa forward." ""Delta Dental is proud to support the Healthiest State Initiative and its 16th Annual Walk," said April Schmaltz, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa. "As a health and wellness company, we know that a healthy body, a healthy mind, and a healthy community go hand-in-hand. The annual walk is a simple yet powerful way to connect with others and take a meaningful step toward better health for ourselves and for Iowa." Show your excitement for the Healthiest State Annual Walk by sharing a photo from your walk and using the hashtag #MoveIowaForward on social media. For more information and to register, visit the walk website. The Healthiest State Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization driven to ensure that every Iowan has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Creating awareness and integrating solutions to improve the physical, social and mental well-being of Iowans, Iowa Healthiest State can inspire individuals and their communities to improve their health and happiness, and ultimately achieve its goal.

DeltaVision free vision clinic. Posted on July 20, 2026 in Corporate Des Moines, IA - July 15, 2026 - On July 9 and 10, DeltaVision and the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation in partnership with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Prevent Blindness Iowa, and Oakridge Neighborhood Services served 529 children and adults through free comprehensive eye exams at Oakridge Neighborhood in Des Moines. A total of 468 pairs of prescription glasses were provided at no cost, and 22 individuals were referred for specialized follow-up care. This marked the sixth annual two-day free vision clinic hosted in Iowa, and the third hosted at Oakridge Neighborhood. With the help of more than 80 volunteers, many of them local, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and other skilled and general volunteers, the clinic addressed unresolved vision needs for children and adults. The clinic leveraged the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation clinic model and manufacturing process, allowing many participants to receive their prescription eyeglasses the same day as their exam. "Events like this vision clinic provide a direct impact to Iowans and help us fulfill our mission of improving the health and lives of those we serve," said Suzanne Heckenlaible, executive director of Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. "Something as simple as a pair of glasses can help a child read more confidently, support an adult in maintaining employment, and improve overall quality of life. We appreciate all our partners in this effort and are thankful for the time invested by our volunteers to positively impact the lives of nearly 530 individuals in our community." "While these numbers are impressive, they cannot fully capture the impact this clinic had on our residents and clients," said Deidre Dejear, president and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood and Oakridge Neighborhood Services. "The smiles on people's faces as they put on their new glasses and the heartfelt gratitude they expressed were truly unforgettable. Access to vision care can be life-changing and because of this clinic, children, parents, and older adults received the care they need, sometimes for the very first time." According to the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, one in four students in the U.S. has an undiagnosed vision problem, and experts estimate that 80 percent of learning is visual. Lack of access to vision care stems from three main barriers: lack of affordability, lack of awareness, and lack of physical access. The vision clinic hosted at Oakridge Neighborhood is an example of how Delta Dental is investing in local communities, improving lives, and expanding its mission to include vision and overall health care. About Delta Dental of Iowa Delta Dental of Iowa, a not-for-profit health and wellness company, provides dental and vision benefits to more than 1.7 million Iowans. Locally focused and nationally networked, Delta Dental of Iowa and its Foundation invest in robust community systems and partnerships. These efforts empower and engage all Iowans to have optimal oral, vision, and overall health. Since 2002, Delta Dental has invested more than $74 million to improve the oral and overall health of Iowans. Delta Dental of Iowa is a member of the Delta Dental Plans Association, the leading national network of independent dental service corporations. The Delta Dental member companies provide dental benefits to more than 85 million Americans in more than 157,000 employee groups throughout the country. For more information, visit the website at www.deltadentalia.com. About OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation The North America affiliate of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, registered in the United States. This regional affiliate supports the goals of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation (formerly Essilor Social Impact), a French registered charitable organization (endowment fund) reflecting the commitment and values of EssilorLuxottica to contribute to eliminating uncorrected poor vision in a generation. It was rebranded in 2022 to bring together EssilorLuxottica's philanthropic, advocacy actions and investments including: Vision for Life, Essilor Vision Foundations in North America, India, Southeast Asia and China, Fondazione Salmoiraghi & Viganò in Italy as well as the Company's long term global partners OneSight and the Vision Impact Institute. It is headquartered at 147 rue de Paris, 94220 Charenton-Le-Pont, France. https://onesight.essilorluxottica.com/ About Oakridge Neighborhood Since 1969, Oakridge Neighborhood has created opportunities for thousands of children, adults and families to succeed and become financially independent. Oakridge provides a secure neighborhood of affordable housing, plus essential programs and services open to all Central Iowans. Of the nearly 800 residents who reside on the Oakridge campus, 49 percent are children under the age of 18. Ninety-nine percent of its residents are very low or extremely low-income at move-in.