Welcome to our new Live Well Allegheny Partner!

To become a Live Well Partner each organization pledges to further the Live Well Allegheny mission of promoting health and wellness in their organization.

Hill Dance Academy Theatre‘s mission is to provide professional-level training in Black dance traditions, history, culture, and aesthetics that engages and empowers students to pursue careers in Black dance. They support the Live Well mission by including fitness and nutrition education for all students. For more information, visit their website.

Baldwin Township, Emsworth, Etna Update Smoke-Free Policies

In recent years, the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and other vaping devices has risen dramatically. While the health hazards of combustible tobacco smoke are well known, the vapor from these tobacco heating devices is of great concern, as well. Contents of “vape juices” include heavy metals, such as nickel, chromium, cadmium, lead, and diacetyl, the chemical that causes bronchial obliterans, more commonly known as popcorn lung.

Allegheny County has been proactive in their smoke-free policies to include electronic cigarettes. In 2017, the county ratified amendments enacted by the Board of Health surrounding electronic cigarettes and vaping products. The regulation prohibits the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products in indoor public places where cigarettes are already prohibited. Find more information on Allegheny County’s policies on e-cigarettes and vaping products.

Live Well Allegheny Communities were asked to update their smoke-free policies to include vaping and e-cigarettes. Three municipalities have already passed new policies: Baldwin Township and Emsworth and Etna boroughs.

“We are happy to demonstrate the township’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of its staff and residents by adopting a tobacco-free policy in support of Young Lungs at Play,” said Baldwin Township Manager Nina Belcasro.

Emsworth Borough officials passed the updated tobacco-free policy to include electronic cigarettes and vaping. In their resolution they are hoping to change the social norms about tobacco use and vaping. By promoting a vape-free environment this can positively impact the lifestyle choices of youth who visit the borough.

And in Etna, borough officials announced an update to their Young Lungs at Play policy to include vaping: “Protecting the health of our children is a priority for our community. With two new parks opened in the last year and the inclusion of our school bus stops, we are making an effort to meet that priority,” said Etna Borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage.

To learn more about updating your tobacco-free policy or adopting a new tobacco-free policy as part of your Live Well Allegheny pledge, contact Victoria Baker at victoria.baker@alleghenycounty.us.

Safe Toys and Gifts Month

In December we celebrate Safe Toys and Gifts Month. When it comes to toys and gifts, it is critical to consider the safety and age range of the toys. It is especially important to check the safety of toys given to infants and children under the age of three. Find more safety guidelines.

2022 Live Well Allegheny Learning Collaborative Feedback Survey

We would appreciate the feedback from our 2022 Live Well Learning Collaborative. If you participated in any of the events, please complete this survey.

If you or your organization would like to be a speaker for the 2023 speaker series, please email Victoria Baker at victoria.baker@alleghenycounty.us