Steps
to a Healthier US. The Department
of Health and Human Services held the 3rd annual National
Prevention Summit in
Washington
DC
on Oct. 24-25, 2005. The theme of the summit was, “Innovations in
Community Prevention” and speakers included a wide range of government
officials, public health leaders, and  health
researchers. Topics included prevention for older Americans, preventive
screening, promoting healthy behaviors in clinical practice, healthier
eating and physical activity, tobacco cessation, and promoting health
literacy. They also held workshops focused on promoting health in
specific populations and environments. These workshops featured
short presentations by and discussion among experts working in the
specific area of interest or with the population of interest.
Communities discussed included seniors, faith communities, rural areas,
diverse communities, and children. Specific environments explored
included workplaces, senior centers, school, health care settings, and
community coalitions. Finally, the summit explored opportunities to
advance consumer health through information technology. The
majority of abstracts and power points presented can be accessed at
http://www.healthierus.gov/steps/summit/summit2005/presentations.html.
The Department of
Health and Human Services also released a new consumer book designed to
help people with everyday eating and physical activity choice. The book,
“A Healthier You,” is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
and can be purchased for $12.95. See
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/healthieryou/
for more information.
President’s
Council on Physical Fitness and Sport. 2006
marks the 50th anniversary of the President’s Council on
Physical Fitness and Sport. In preparation for this anniversary, the
PCPFS is seeking groups who wish to partner on events to celebrate the
anniversary. The council is not offering any grant or stipend. Rather,
they are just looking to collaborate in a way that is mutually
beneficial to both the council and the non-profit partner. If you have
any ideas for events that you think might be of interest, please let us
know. More information is available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-22532.htm
Action for
Healthy Kids. Action for Healthy Kids
has released a new report which will likely be interesting and useful
for people advocating for better nutrition, physical education, and
physical activity in schools. The report, “Parent’s Views on School
Wellness Practices,” illustrates the disconnect between what parents
think should be happening in schools, what parents think is happening in
schools, and what is really happening in schools. It can be
accessed in full at http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/
CDC.
The CDC recently released a catalog that ties its
ten strategies for schools to promote physical activity and healthy
eating to the tools they have available to help implement the
strategies. The tools available include those long available such as the
School Health Index and Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn.
However, they also include new and upcoming tools set for release later
this year or early next year. These tools include the Health Education
Curriculum Analysis Tool, A School Employee Wellness Guide, and a
Physical Education Curriculum Analysis tool. And for those working on
Safe Routes to School you’ll want to get a copy of “Kids
Walk-to-School.” See http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/KeyStrategies
for more information or to access
materials.
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