Transcript Slide 1
What is ACTIVATE Chester County? A collaboration among hospitals, health and recreation organizations, school districts, municipalities, & community service organizations that advocates for policy & behavior changes that decrease the obesity rate in Chester County. Mission Advocate for programs, policies and a physical environment that encourage physical activity and healthy eating to prevent lifestyle-related diseases among Chester County residents. Vision Chester County residents adopt a healthy lifestyle and advocate for a supportive environment that facilitates healthy living. Our key message is… • Move more • Eat smarter • Create a supportive environment Organizational Structure Steering Committee Advocacy/Education Communications Schools A supportive environment: Includes: • Physical environment • Policies & regulations, such as no smoking laws and land use regulations • Programs, such as workplace wellness Chester County successes: • In most years, Chester County has the highest medium income in the Commonwealth • Chester County commonly has very high education attainment rates – 99% graduating from high school – 74% completing some college Chester County’s obesity problem: • In 2008, 27.3% of public school children had a body mass index (BMI) in the 85th percentile or above – Normal BMI falls between 5th to 85th percentile • In a 2008 survey, 56% of adults reported that they were overweight or obese BMI Data by School District Percent Overweight and Obese for Students K-12 by School Year 100 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 Percent 80 60 40 20 0 Avon Grove Downingtown Area Kennett Consolidated Owen J Roberts Phoenixville Area UnionvilleChadds Ford Obesity is a reversible problem. National initiatives have already reversed public health problem such as: • Infant car seats reducing accident injuries • Seat belts and air bags saving lives • Smoking cessation reducing smoking related illness • Littering campaigns ACTIVATE’S strategy: Reversing obesity can become the “new” seat belt change through: • Creating a county-wide network for local grass roots advocates such as trails groups, food cupboards, running clubs, and bike clubs • Connecting local advocates with national groups Local ACTIVATE Groups • National groups include: • National Center for Bicycling and Walking • National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity • Activate America National YMCA http://www.ymca.net • Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign: http://www.letsmove.gov State groups include: • PA Buy Fresh Buy Local • Energy Balance: The Movement to Make Health Easy http://www.nrgbalance.org • PA Nutrition Education Network http://www.panen.org What ACTIVATE can do: • Increase public awareness of obesity • Promote community mobilization • Connect people with local ACTIVATE groups • Leverage local groups’ resources • Involve all community stakeholders • Showcase things that are being done What ACTIVATE has already done: • Neighborhood walks and health fairs • New trails built • Expanded farmers markets and community gardens • Stronger school-based wellness programs • Wellness programs in area businesses • Youth involvement in ACTIVATE groups Who could be ACTIVATE partners? • Municipal governments & elected officials • Schools, PTAs, & educational groups • Businesses, employers, and chambers of commerce • Churches, service clubs & community groups What municipal officials can do: Establish policies and regulations that: • Promote safe walking trails • Require sidewalks in new developments • Encourage farmers markets and community gardens • Establish bike lanes on appropriate roads, and bike racks where needed • Educate via newsletters or websites What schools & PTAs can do: • Develop active wellness councils • Healthy foods in cafeterias & vending machines • Healthy fundraisers (not candy sales) • Walking programs before & after school • Allow community groups to use school facilities • Add “Move More/Eat Smart” to curriculums What employers can do: • Enact policies that promote healthy behaviors • Participate in Corporate Cup competitions • Healthy food at meetings & in vending machines • Annual employee health screenings • Health insurance deductions for annual physicals or fitness club memberships • Establish walking trails & farmers markets in industrial parks What churches & community organizations can do: • Education via newsletters or websites • Healthy fundraisers (not candy sales) • Host on-site wellness programs • Healthy foods at gatherings • Establish raised bed gardens • Establish biking, hiking and walking groups More information: • ACTIVATE Chester County: http://www.activatechestercounty.org/