January 2007
News from the PAN Branch
Holiday Challenge Wrap-Up
Thank you to the more than 2,300 North Carolinians who challenged themselves and made the Eat Smart, Move More – Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge a great success. The Holiday Challenge will now be an annual event - be sure to sign up again next year!
Now that you have completed the challenge, the important thing to do is capitalize on the momentum you’ve built over the last seven weeks.
Apply the tips and strategies you learned during the challenge to your everyday life. The same principles still apply: eat smart and move more. Use this phrase to guide your choices as you continue working to develop a healthy lifestyle.
Good luck in 2007!
Programs, Projects and Initiatives
NCDOT SRTS Program Now Housed in Bike- Ped Division
We are excited to announce that the NCDOT Safe Routes to School Program is now a part of the Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation (DBPT). The DBPT, a comprehensive division with in NCDOT, encompasses bicycle and pedestrian planning, engineering, programming, and project administration. It is the oldest comprehensive state program of is kind in the United States. Part of the division’s mission to improve North Carolina’s “travel environment for safe bicycle and pedestrian use, thus promoting increased bicycling and walking”—is closely tied to the purposes of the SRTS program.
Planners, engineers and support staff of the DBPT work closely with other units of NCDOT as well as other state, regional and municipal government agencies. The SRTS Program will benefit from these established relationships and the experience that the division staff brings to this new program. Long known as a national leader in bicycle safety education, the division currently fosters a broad range of bicycle and pedestrian safety initiatives. Many of these initiatives will be useful to schools and communities as they develop and implement their own SRTS program.
For communities that will need infrastructure and planning assistance, the DBPT can also be a valuable resource. The division’s engineering unit is seasoned with managing construction projects from feasibility studies through construction and inspection, and the division also currently promotes and supports the development of local bicycle and pedestrian plans, provides technical assistance, collects and compiles data, and creates and distributes materials to improve bicycling and walking as viable transportation options.
We are proud that the SRTS Program will work with the DBPT to meet its vision that all citizens of North Carolina will be able to walk and bicycle safely and conveniently to their desired destinations, with reasonable access to all roadways by targeting the needs of school-aged children. For more information go to this link. (From NC Safe Routes to School News and notes November 2006).
African American Churches Eating Smart & Moving More (AACESMM) Resource Guide Training—January 24, 2007
You are invited to join the PAN Branch, Healthy Carolinians and the Northwest AHEC for an African-American Churches Eating Smart Moving More Workshop and networking opportunity on Wednesday, January 24, 2007. This workshop, “Promoting Health in Faith-Based Communities”, is for Health Promotion, Health Education, Healthy Carolinians, Cooperative Extension, AAESMM Faith Guide Trainers and Community Faith Partners in the region and throughout the state.
Sharon Nelson, Edna Hensey and Rev. William Kearney will be the presenters. There will also be a panel discussion of successful local faith community members/health professional partnerships in the afternoon. Copies of the AACESMM Resource Guide will be distributed to participants.
This free workshop is open to all who are interested so please share this information. Space is limited so please register early and by January 19, 2007.
“Promoting Health in Faith-Based Communities”
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Northwest AHEC Reynolds Business Center
2400 Reynolda Road
Winston-Salem, NC
For a training registration and agenda, please send inquiries to nc5aday@ncmail.net Want to know more about the AACESMM Guide and Initiative, visit the Eat Smart, Move More…NC website.
Success Stories
Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Proclamation Presented to State Health Director
As a formal display of the N.C. Division of Public Health’s newly adopted Physical Activity and Healthy Eating policy, Leah Devlin, state health director received a framed copy of the proclamation promoting increased opportunities to eat smart and move more in the worksite.
The Division’s landmark Physical Activity and Healthy Eating policy proclaims that meetings will include physical activity breaks as well as healthy foods and beverages, and participation in Division worksite wellness activities and facilities on the main campus will be supported by Division management.
The policy was adopted on October 16 to coincide with the walk kicking off the inaugural Move More Monday. Move More Mondays are an ongoing effort to model healthy behaviors among Division employees and continue to occur every Monday at noon at the Six Forks offices in Raleigh. For more information, you can read a special article on the Eat Smart, Move More…NC website.
Featured Resources and Research
Students Taking Charge Toolkit
This resource is designed to provide you with the tools necessary to develop and use your student voice to influence nutrition and physical activity policies within your school. The skills that you learn through the Students Taking Charge process can be applied to other issues that are important to you. Following the step-by-step instructions in this toolkit will help you build a strong base to advocate for yourself and your community throughout your life. For more information go to this site. (From [Enewsletter] NCPPA News 12/1/06).
RWJF- Supported Harvard Analysis Reveals Daily Calorie Imbalance for Children is Larger than Previously Recognized
A new study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health shows that America’s overweight teens consumed an average of 700 to 1,000 calories more than required each day over a 10-year period.
This “energy gap”—or the imbalance between the number of calories children consumed each day and the number they required to support normal growth, physical activity, and body function—resulted in an average of 58 extra pounds for overweight teens.
The study, the first to look at the energy gap among children and youth, was published in the journal Pediatrics. The study shows that U.S. children and teens overall consumed an average of 110 to 165 more calories than they required each day. Over a 10-year period, this energy gap led to an excess 10 pounds of body weight on average among all teens.
For more information go to this site (From RWJF Content Alert 12/5/2006).
ACSM Reference Database
The American College of Sports Medicine Office of Museum, History, and Archives is pleased to provide the Health and Physical Activity Reference Database of articles and books published over the past 200 years or more related generally, to the connection between health and physical exercise and the early history of the physiology of exercise.
Most of the material was written in English and was published in North America. However, some material was published in France, Germany, and England, among a few other countries. For more information go to this site. (From CDC’s Physical Activity One-Way Listserv, December 7th, 2006).
American Heart Association (AHA)-Physical Education in Schools
The American Heart Association is calling for schools to lead the way to ensure that all children and youth participate in adequate physical activity during the school day. The group is releasing a scientific statement, “Promoting Physical Activity in Children and Youth: A Leadership Role for Schools,” in the current issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
For the summary and reference go to this site. (From CDC’s Physical Activity One-Way Listserv, December 7th, 2006).
WHO- HIA Clearinghouse
HIA provides decision makers with information about how any policy, program or project may affect the health of people. HIA seeks to influence decision makers to improve the proposal. WHO supports the use of HIA because of its ability to influence policies, programs and/or projects. This provides a foundation for improved health and wellbeing of people likely to be affected by such proposals. For more information go to this site. (From CDC’s Physical Activity One-Way Listserv, December 13th, 2006
CDC Publishes Disability and Health State Chartbook—2006 Profiles of Health for Adults With Disabilities
About 50 million American adults have a disability, such as hearing loss, mental disability, physical limitation or vision loss. Improving the health of these people is a central concern for public health. This Chartbook is the first in a series to present information about the health of people with disabilities by state and territory.
For more information go to this link. (From Health & Disability News Fall 2006 Vol. 4, No. 4)
Study Finds Children’s Proximity to Parks, Stores Affects Walking
A study scheduled for publication in the American Journal of Health Promotion finds that children are more likely to walk when destinations exist within a half-mile of their home, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. For more information go to this site. (From RWJF News Digest: Childhood Obesity12/15/06).
International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) Offers Toolkit Helps Older Adults Start Exercising
After the holidays, many older adults will think about starting an exercise program. ICAA offers an online toolkit of free information you can download and distribute or suggest your web-savvy participants visit. The “Welcome back to fitness” site includes information on getting started, choosing an age-friendly facility or personal trainer, and links to other organizations. For more information go to this site. (From NCPPA News 12/15/2006).
Legislation
No updates at this time.
Grants
Access to Recreation Initiative-2007 Recreation Access Matching Grants
Deadline for Applications: January 12, 2007
The Recreation Access Matching Grant program will provide up to 50% matching funds (up to $10,000 maximum), for the purchase of universally accessible recreation equipment and materials (such as, but not limited to… all terrain hiking wheelchairs, pool lifts, accessible unitary playground surface, transfer systems, beach access mats, trail surface enhancements, accessible picnic tables, etc.) which enhance recreation participation by people with disabilities. Items to be purchased must directly and specifically enhance access to the recreation experience. For more information see this PDF. (From [E-newsletter] NCPPA News 12/1/06).
Champions for Healthy Kids Grant Program
Application deadline February 1, 2007
The General Mills Foundation, in partnership with the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, developed the Champions for Healthy Kids grant program in 2002. Each year, the General Mills Foundation awards 50 grants of $10,000 each to community-based groups that develop creative ways to help youth adopt a balanced diet and physically active lifestyle. To learn more, click on this link.
GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards
Deadline for Applications: February 16, 2007
Teaming up with the GoGirlGo! National Campaign that is aiming to get one million inactive girls to participate in physical activity and keep another one million currently active girls from dropping out of physical activity, Gatorade and the Women’s Sports Foundation are supporting a third year of the GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards. The awards program is designed to inspire teams to help fight the disturbing physical and psychological health risks affecting America’s youth. Having fun with fitness is a key element to getting girls physically active.
Teams must lead their own team project that will get girls in their communities physically active and submit a detailed essay or a VHS, DVD or CD-ROM telling us about the project. A total of $50,000 in grants will be awarded in recognition of the outstanding efforts of 20 teams throughout the country.
For more information go to this link. (From [Enewsletter] NCPPA News 12/1/06)
Red Laces Program to Fight Childhood Obesity
Deadline: March 30, 2007
Stride Rite and Saucony are accepting applications for its Red Laces Program to Fight Childhood Obesity. The purpose of this program is to support communities and nonprofit organizations that provide after-school physical fitness programs for kids. Programs should emphasize increased participation in running. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations.
For complete program information and application guidelines, please visit this site.
Hamburger Helper Announces Grant Program for Local Communities Across America
Deadline for Applications: May 31, 2007
Hamburger Helper, a General Mills food brand, is looking to lend a “helping hand” to neighborhoods across the United States with its “My Hometown Helper” grant program. Individuals from communities and organizations across America can visit the program’s Web site to submit a written essay describing how the “My Hometown Helper” grant would help improve their community project. Examples of possible community projects include: lights or bleachers for baseball, soccer, or football fields; playground equipment for a park; new uniforms for Little League teams, etc. Applicants can request a one-time award of between $500 and $15,000 during any single month. All requests for funding must be sponsored by a municipal or civic organization or public school. The program will award “helping hand” grants each month from online applications received through May 2007. Applications will be evaluated monthly. Funds will be awarded based on the merit of the project, including its impact on and support within the community.
For more information on the “My Hometown Helper” program and complete guidelines, visit the program’s web site at this site. (From [Enewsletter] NCPPA News 12/1/06)
Fit Community Designations and Grants Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Available to NC Towns and Counties
Fit Together, a partnership of the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a second phase of its Fit Community designation and grants program.
Fit Together, the overweight/obesity prevention campaign of HWTF and BCBSNC, awarded the first phase of grants and designations in May 2006. Eight NC Communities including Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro and Asheville received designations. This program rewards municipalities and counties for supporting healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free living through policy, promotions and community infrastructure. Although the designations are a part of the partnership, funding for the grants is provided solely by HWTF.
With escalating numbers of diseases and preventable deaths in North Carolina linked to physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use, the public health implications of being overweight have become a growing priority for HWTF. These behaviors increase the risks for cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and many other serious chronic illnesses. According to a study commissioned by Be Active NC, expenses associated with obesity alone cost North Carolina $24.1 billion annually.
“HWTF is proud that North Carolina communities are becoming part of the solution by implementing programs that make healthy lifestyles possible for all citizens. A Fit Community designation says to the public we have a cool place to live – a healthy place to work, play and go to school. We are a fit community.” said Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, HWTF chair.
All North Carolina municipalities, counties, and lead agencies that represent municipal or county partnerships and meet specified eligibility criteria outlined in the RFP are eligible to apply for the designation.
Eight two-year grants of up to $30,000 annually will be awarded to applicants that demonstrate need, proven capacity, and opportunity for positive change in addressing physical activity and/or healthy eating in North Carolina.
HWTF is committed to selecting designees that represent a broad geographic range, diversity of needs, and range of strategies used to address those needs. There is no fee to apply for the Fit Community designation or grant.
For more information about the Fit Community program, or to download a Fit Community application, visit www.healthwellnc.com.
Training and Professional Development
KaBoom! Award Winning Playground Training to New Orleans!
February 8-10, 2007
New Orleans, LA.
Join the national non-profit KaBOOM! in New Orleans, February 8-10, for the University of Play (U Play!), a 3-day training that provides all the resources and knowledge you need to promote play and build great playspaces such as playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks in your community.
Sign up today to take advantage of nearly $1 million in training scholarships and
play equipment grants available to U Play! participants, to register or for more information visit, www.kaboom.org.
Effective Community- Based Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults: From Research to Practice
February 14-15, 2007
Shoreline Conference Center
Seattle, WA.
This conference, sponsored by The Prevention Research Centers Healthy Aging Research Network, presents best health promotion practices for older adults with attention to: Reach to target audiences, Efficacy/Effectiveness of programs, Adoption by target settings or institutions, Implementation or Fidelity of the intervention, and Maintenance of the intervention effects. For more information go to this site. (From [Enewsletter] NCPPA News 12/1/06).
2007 AAHPERD National Convention
March 13-17, 2007
Baltimore, MD
This conference, sponsored by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance features a comprehensive program including programming and events targeted to the distinct populations of the health and physical activity industry; world-renowned keynote speakers; a Job Fair and Placement Center and a multi-faceted Exposition Hall with demonstrations, products, and services.
For more information go to this site (From [Enewsletter] NCPPA News 12/1/06).
National Health and Livability Summit
April 17-19, 2007
Atlanta, GA
The National Recreation and Park Association invites local, state, and national officials and citizen advocates to join together to examine new management practices, and investigate the vital contributions park and recreation agencies make to increase the quality to life, health, and livability of the individuals they serve. Park and recreation professionals, citizen advocates, and local leaders are encouraged to take part in this national forum to address health and livability at the local, state, and national level. Together, you will assist in launching nationally recommended policies for communities to foster healthy lifestyles and more livable communities. For more information go to this site. (From [Enewsletter] NCPPA News 12/1/06)
2007 National Health Education Conference & SOPHE’s 2007 Midyear Scientific Conference
“The Changing Face of Health Education and Health Promotion”
June 7-9, 2007
Seattle, Washington
Call for Abstract Submissions
You are invited to be part of a premier national health education and health promotion conference cosponsored by the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE), Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the 2007 National Health Education Conference & SOPHE’s 2007 Midyear Scientific Conference, June 7-9, 2007, in Seattle, WA.
The conference theme, “Changing Face of Health Education and Health Promotion” speaks to breaking down sub-categories within the profession such as infectious vs. chronic, global health vs. domestic health that serve as barriers to progress.
This conference will encourage re-conceptualizing health education and health promotion programs, research and practice to cross over professional boundaries and seek an integrated approach to solving health education challenges. Abstract proposals from all professionals and public health partners involved in health education, health promotion, health communication, community health, and behavioral research are encouraged to respond to this invitation.
For more information visit: www.sophe.org.
2007 APHA Annual Meeting - Call for Abstracts
The American Public Health Association is announcing the Call for Abstracts for the 2007 Annual Meeting to be held November 3-7, in Washington, DC. The theme of the meeting is “Politics, Policy & Public Health.”
We encourage abstracts in all areas of public health and are also interested in abstracts that focus on the Annual Meeting theme. Abstracts should be no more than 250 words and must include learning objectives.
All abstracts must be submitted online. An easy to use online form will walk you through the process step-by-step. The site is now opened so you may link directly to the abstract submission form through the APHA website at this link or this link.
Authors must provide complete and accurate contact information in order to be notified of abstract status. You do not have to be a member of APHA to submit an abstract, however, if your abstract is accepted, presenting authors must become an Individual member as well as register for the Annual Meeting.
The deadline for submission of abstracts range from February 5 to February 9, 2007 depending on the Section, SPIG or Caucus to which you wish to submit. All submissions will end at 11:59 pm (Pacific Standard Time) on the due date listed on the Call for Abstracts.