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    15Oct, 2018
    Bradford Woods Formally Designated a Live Well Allegheny Community

    September 23, 2018

    PITTSBURGH – County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker joined borough officials and residents yesterday afternoon to formally announce that the Borough of Bradford Woods has been designated a Live Well Allegheny Community.

    “Bradford Woods is well known for following best practices and consistently seeking ways to better its community for the benefit of its residents, and yesterday’s designation is keeping in line with that reputation,” said Fitzgerald. “Congratulations to President Coltharp and all of council and, more importantly, to the residents of Bradford Woods for this focus on health and wellness for the borough.”

    Bradford Woods’ Council adopted an ordinance committing to meeting the goals of the campaign and to partnering with Allegheny County and the Live Well Allegheny initiative on July 9, 2018. In that legislation, the borough committed to sustain outdoor wellness trails accessible to residents of all abilities, to support farmers markets and community supported agriculture, to encourage involvement with community volunteer activities, and to promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters.

    “With yesterday’s announcement, there are now six communities in Council District 2 which have committed to improving the health and wellness of Allegheny County residents,” said county Council Member Cindy Kirk, District 2 Representative. “As a nurse, I wholeheartedly support initiatives that allow residents to make healthy choices and improve their own wellness and thank Bradford Woods’ Council for making this a priority in their community.

    The borough has also resolved to share information on wellness campaign events with the broader community via websites and social media to provide information on physical activity, nutrition, stress management, tobacco cessation, and other health and wellness related initiatives.

    “It was a pleasure to be a part of this announcement, and it’s great to see that yet another community has committed to making health a top priority for its residents,” said Hacker. “For those communities that haven’t earned the Live Well designation, doing so is easy, and we encourage you to apply.”

    The announcement took place during Bradford Woods’ Community Day, an event that featured live music, activities, food and presentations and included a number of community organizations, giving residents an opportunity to become involved and engaged.

    “Bradford Woods is honored to participate in the Live Well Allegheny program,” said Charles Coltharp, Council President. “With our convenient access to recreational areas and fresh grown, local food, we hope to help all of our residents ‘live well.’”

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive and 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 Allegheny County Board of Health and Dr. Hacker.

    The Live Well Allegheny campaign now includes 61 communities, 46 restaurants, 24 workplaces and 14 school districts. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participants can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well.

    12Oct, 2018
    Two Additional Live Well Allegheny Partners Join the Initiative

    September 7, 2018

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced that the Township of Upper St. Clair has been designated as a Live Well Allegheny Community and Greater Valley Community Services has been designated as a Live Well Allegheny Workplace, adding two more partners to the county’s Live Well Allegheny campaign.

    “Over the past four years, we have seen substantial buy-in and investment by hundreds of partners into the idea of becoming a healthier county,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “We are grateful that so many people have come to the table to think about how to make recreational opportunities and other health-related offerings available in their community, workplace, school or restaurant. This initiative is only going to continue to grow and, together,
    we will create a healthier Allegheny County.”

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

    “We are very encouraged to see more and more partners in our county join the Live Well Allegheny initiative, and we are excited to welcome the Township of Upper Saint Clair and Greater Valley Community services to the campaign,” said Health Department Director, Dr. Karen Hacker. “Now participating are 60 communities, 46 restaurants, 24 workplaces and 14 school districts that are making health a priority in Allegheny County. But there is room for all, and we encourage you to apply for the Live Well designation if you haven’t already done so.”

    Live Well Allegheny Community

    The Township of Upper St. Clair will support the health of its residents by developing indoor and outdoor wellness trails, which will be accessible to residents of all abilities, and by supporting their local farmers markets. The township will also promote smoke-free buildings, perimeters, and parks, provide recreational opportunities for all ages, and encourage involvement with community volunteer activities.

    “It’s great to see that another municipality in my district has earned the Live Well Allegheny designation,” said Sue Means, the County Council Member representing District 5. “I commend the Township of Upper Saint Clair for putting together a plan to promote the health and well-being of its residents, and I look forward to seeing the results.”

    Live Well Allegheny Workplace

    Greater Valley Community Services will support stretching and physical activity breaks during work hours and meetings, locate safe and accessible outdoor walking or running paths and trails, and create employee athletic teams and activities. They have also resolved to provide healthy food options, promote tobacco cessation, and create an Employee Wellness Committee.

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive and 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 Allegheny County Board of Health and Dr. Hacker.

    Released in the past month, the 2018 Community Impact Report: Creating Health in Every Space to learn how Live Well Allegheny works with its partners to create opportunities for health in every space – where Allegheny County residents live, learn, work, and eat.

    Workplace
    12Oct, 2018
    ACHD Announces Seven New Live Well Allegheny Designations

    July 23, 2018

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced that five additional workplaces – Raion Zou Holistic Healing, Donnelly-Boland and Associates, Human Services Administration Organization, the Alliance for Infants and Toddlers, and Go Ape Tree Top Adventure – and two additional restaurants – Salvatore’s Pizza House and the Lions Den Cafe and Deli – have been designated as part of the Live Well Allegheny campaign.

    “We are very excited to welcome another seven partners to our Live Well Allegheny campaign,” said Health Department Director, Dr. Karen Hacker. “Now, a total of 59 communities, 46 restaurants, 23 workplaces and 14 school districts are making health a priority in Allegheny County, and there is room for many more. Earning the Live Well designation is easy, and we encourage you to apply today if you haven’t already done so.”

    Live Well Allegheny Workplaces

    • Through a variety of initiatives, Raion Zou Holistic Healing is encouraging physical activity and nutrition among its employees. In addition to hosting a weekly walking group, the workplace will support stretching and physical activity breaks, organize fitness classes, and provide access to outdoor trails and an on-site area for exercise. Additionally, Raion Zou Holistic Healing will provide its employees with healthy food options, a private breastfeeding area, and standing or walking desks.
    • Donnelly-Boland and Associates will be establishing a tobacco-free workplace policy that includes tobacco cessation resources for employees. In addition, it will provide a private breastfeeding area, and will give its employees access to an on-site fitness area. Donnelly-Boland and Associates also promises to offer health screenings for BMI, obesity, cancer, blood pressure, and numerous other biometrics, and will remind its employees about the importance of regular checkups.
    • Providing access to an on-site fitness area, ensuring that employees have access to comprehensive health insurance, and developing a policy that supports breastfeeding employees are some of the initiatives Human Services Administration Organization (HSAO) is putting in place. Furthermore, HSAO promises to support stretching and physical activity breaks during work hours, and to make health and wellness educational resources available to all employees.
    • The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers has promised to ensure well-lit, safe stairwells, to provide access to a water fountain, water dispenser, or water cooler, and to provide access to an on-site fitness area. It has also committed to allowing paid time off for preventive cancer screenings, to ensuring that employees have access to comprehensive health insurance, and to making health and wellness educational resources and activities available to all employees.
    • Having a space for a workplace garden that employees can build and maintain, negotiating health-club discounts or subsidized membership at local fitness centers, and making health and wellness educational resources available to employees is the vision set by Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. It will also support stretching and physical activity breaks during work hours, and to locate safe and accessible outdoor walking or running paths and trails.

    Live Well Allegheny Restaurants

    • Salvatore’s Pizza House will be promoting healthier beverage options, and will offer smaller portions of sugar-sweetened beverages. It has also promised to provide healthy side dishes in lieu of higher fat, sugar, or salt options, and to eliminate trans-fat oils in its cooking.
    • Eliminating trans-fat oils in its cooking, being smoke-free, and offering low-calorie options have been promised by the Lions Den Cafe and Deli. It has also committed to offer vegetarian/vegan fare options and to provide healthy side dishes, including fruits and vegetables.

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive and 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 Allegheny County Board of Health and Dr. Hacker.

    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.

    12Oct, 2018
    Tobacco Free Allegheny, Live Well Allegheny, & Partners to Celebrate Smoking Cessation Awareness Week with Allegheny Quits for Life

    Did you know that November 11-17 is Smoking Cessation Awareness Week? To raise awareness about tobacco cessation, Tobacco Free Allegheny (TFA), Live Well Allegheny, and supporting partners are joining together for the fourth annual Allegheny Quits for Life week. A week-long series of events and communications, the campaign is designed to support Allegheny County residents’ efforts to quit smoking and stop using tobacco products. Throughout the week TFA partners will be promoting tobacco cessation and healthy activities.

    Smoking rates are declining nationally, but the battle is far from over. Every day, roughly 1,300 Americans die from smoking-related illnesses. This is not just a national problem; the health effects of tobacco disproportionately affect Western Pennsylvanians. In Allegheny County, 23% of county residents smoke exceeding the rate of Pennsylvanians (21%) and Americans (18.1%).

    To combat the negative impacts of tobacco and build a healthier Allegheny County, TFA serves as a community resource, providing education about tobacco use and the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure. By celebrating Allegheny Quits for Life, TFA and its partners raise awareness about smoking cessation resources, the harmful effects of smoking, and promote healthy activities that can be used to substitute tobacco usage.

    Allegheny Quits for Life partners are critical in conveying the message that a smoke-free Allegheny is a healthier Allegheny. There are a variety of ways to get involved in the celebration! Check out the list below for ways to be a part of Allegheny Quits for Life:

    Additionally, we encourage you to join in the celebration on Tuesday, November 13th by participating in Tango Tuesday! Tango Tuesday is the official kick-off of Allegheny Quits for Life Cessation Awareness week. The event features a free dance class with Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh, resources from local health organizations, a public press conference & more! See the Facebook Event for more information about Tango Tuesday!

    For more information about the events and activities during Allegheny Quits for Life week, please visit: www.facebook.com/events.

    12Oct, 2018
    Pittsburgh organizations attend Farm to Cafeteria Conference, learn ways to add locally-grown food to school meals

    It’s Back-to-School season. The season tends to bring thoughts of new clothes, fresh pencils, cute bookbags and jam-packed schedules. For some people, however, back-to-school involves taking steps to safeguard children’s health by focused on immunizations and handwashing. At Live Well Allegheny, we believe it’s just as important to consider nutrition and nutrition in school meals as ways to improve our community’s health.

    Recently, eight school food advocates from Pittsburgh attended the 2018 Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. Representatives from Pittsburgh Public Schools, Deer Lakes School District, Mt. Lebanon School District, Woodland Hills School District, University of Pittsburgh, Grow Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council learned more about best practices to incorporate food grown and produced locally into school meals. We’re proud to say that these individuals are also part of four Live Well Allegheny school districts, one Live Well Allegheny workplace, and two Live Well Allegheny community partners.

    Hosted by the National Farm to School Network, the conference brought together leaders and changemakers in farm to school procurement, school gardens, sustainability, and purchasing regulation. Farm to cafeteria is part of the farm to school movement which seeks to build connections between communities and locally-grown food and local food producers. Farm to school encourages changes in food purchasing and education to improve access to healthy foods, and to empower children to make informed food choices. The conference also included keynote speakers and a myriad of workshops covering topics including equity and access in school gardens, using food service guidelines to create healthy food environments, and methods of engaging state Agriculture departments.

    Building on knowledge gleaned from the conference, local organizations hope to encourage more farm to school initiatives in Pittsburgh. The school representatives plan to implement more farm to school by increasing education among parents and students, measuring and communicating impact, implementing procurement changes, and incorporating garden and food production in the classroom.

    Following the conference, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service announced Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS), in partnership with Grow Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, is a recipient of the USDA Farm to School grant award. The grant provides $5.2 million in awards to bring nutritious, local food into schools and bolster economic opportunities for farmers. PPS is one of two schools in Pennsylvania to receive the award. The grant funds will be utilized for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years to strengthen and standardized farm to school initiatives throughout the district. Grow Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council will engage local growers to provide produce in schools, and collaborate with community members to increase awareness and support for the farm to school movement.