• Search for:
    26Sep, 2016
    Borough of Carnegie Designated as the Newest Live Well Allegheny Community

    September 24, 2016

    PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) today announced that the Borough of Carnegie is the latest community to receive the designation as a Live Well Allegheny Community. The announcement was made during the Carnegie Open Streets event. The borough’s participation raises the number of municipalities participating in Live Well Allegheny to 32.

    “Carnegie is a community on its way up and it has recognized the importance of providing activities, events and amenities that improve the quality of life for its residents,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “We’re excited to have the borough join this effort and look forward to the great things they will continue to do in their community.”

    The Borough of Carnegie hosted its first Open Streets event at the intersection of West Main and East Main Streets from 9:00 am-2:00 pm. The event was themed “Get Active and Enjoy Carnegie” and participants were able to participate in activities including yoga in the street, jazzercise, a children’s fitness class and Indian cultural dances.

    “Finding ways to encourage physically active will greatly improve our health. It is an important part of our Live Well Allegheny campaign.” said Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the Allegheny County Health Department. “Open Streets events are a family-friendly way for residents to be physically active in their community. This is one activity among others that the Borough of Carnegie is undertaking to enhance the health of its residents and we commend them for their efforts.”

    Restaurants and shops also offered specials throughout the event. Funding for the event was provided by the Active Allegheny Grant Program that is managed by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County in partnership withLive Well Allegheny.

    “I’m very proud of the work that our communities are doing, and glad the Carnegie Borough is a part of my district,” said Council Member Mike Finnerty. “Today’s Open Streets event is just one of many that engages and involves the community and I was thrilled to be part of it.”

    In its ordinance for Live Well Allegheny, Carnegie indicated that in addition to the open streets event, it will:

    • Share information on wellness campaign events with the broader community to encourage voluntary participation of residents
    • Plan, promote and implement a Live Well Allegheny event in cooperation with the campaign that encourages active living
    • Encourage multi-modal transportation of residents by providing facilities or policies that encourage walking and bike riding
    • Promote and support farmer’s markets
    • Encourage involvement with community volunteer activities
    • Promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters and Young Lungs at Play
    • Utilize web sites and social media to provide information on physical activity, nutrition, stress management, tobacco cessation, and other health and wellness related initiatives.

    “Carnegie Borough is very excited to receive the Live Well Allegheny Community designation. This progressive program is great way to promote a healthier lifestyle within our community and throughout the county,” said Mayor Jack Kobistek.

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 as a comprehensive, innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Board of Health and Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker.

    6Sep, 2016
    YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Designated as Live Well Allegheny Workplace

    September 6, 2016

    PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Dr. Karen Hacker of the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) today designated the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh as the newest Live Well Allegheny Workplace. Kevin Bolding, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, accepted the designation at the PNC YMCA in downtown Pittsburgh.

    “It’s no surprise that the YMCA is a healthy workplace, but to have the organization in the Greater Pittsburgh area sign on to help us become a healthier community is thrilling,” said Fitzgerald. “As we work cooperatively to become healthy, having partners on board like the YMCA makes our efforts even more positive and we look forward to welcoming even more workplaces in the coming months.”

    The announcement took place as the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh kicked off “Renew, Restore, ReYou” which is a six-week stress-management challenge that encourages employees to pick one new relaxing activity to do weekly. Options include yoga, tai chi, coloring, meditation and inspirational reading. Employees the PNC YMCA and several other branches participated in a yoga class as part of the kick-off.

    “The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh has been an important partner of Live Well Allegheny since the launch in January 2014. It serves as a valuable community resource enabling Allegheny County residents to make healthier choices,” said Hacker. “I am pleased to recognize them for their commitment to the health of their employees.”

    The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh has committed to action steps in four main focus areas as a part of their employee wellness program to be designated as a Live Well Workplace:

    • In the building facilities and workplace environments, the organization is eliminating all carbonated beverages from vending machines; all of the campuses are currently smoke free as designated with signage; campuses offer access to cardio and strength equipment to employees; and, seven branches have gardens that are used for education and teaching purposes.
    • In policy integration, the organization’s comprehensive wellness program includes quarterly healthy living challenges, onsite biometric screenings and health risk assessments and access to an evidence-based diabetes prevention program in addition to an organization wide policy for breastfeeding mothers.
    • The organization provides annual health risk assessments, on-site biometric screenings, flu shots in the area of health education, screening and prevention in addition to offering tobacco cessation, stress management and chronic disease prevention and management programs as part of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
    • The leadership commitment and employee ownership is an area of commitment with a monthly employee wellness committee and engagement program that is kicked off by senior management.

    “Healthy Living is at the heart of what we do,” said Bolding. “The Y is dedicated to building healthy spirt, mind and body for all and that starts with our employees. With a strong, healthy team we can be more impactful in our efforts to deliver our mission, live our cause and eliminate health disparities in Allegheny County. The leadership and support we have received from the County throughout this partnership has been wonderful and we are proud to be recognized as a Live Well Allegheny Workplace.”

    Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with the Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participating workplaces can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to “live well.”

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 as a comprehensive, innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Board of Health and Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker.

    Learn how your business can become a Live Well Allegheny Workplace.