Live Well Allegheny became a formal public health campaign at the Allegheny County Health Department in 2014. Since its conception, we have been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all in Allegheny County, especially our most vulnerable populations.
We partner with local municipalities, school districts, restaurants, workplaces and community-based organizations to better serve our residents.
These partners are committed to implementing public health activities to build healthier communities and improve residents’ health outcomes
We also partner with over 200 local community-based organizations advancing health equity and improving health outcomes across Allegheny County
This is a collaborative approach to improving the health of all by considering the health implications of public policies across sectors. Live Well Allegheny focuses on the health factors that impact chronic disease: physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. For more information visit our partner HiAP resources page
ACHD was selected to join the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership in 2018. This year-long process brings together health agencies and the expertise of the CHOICES team to build capacity among local decision-makers to use cost-effectiveness analysis to identify childhood obesity prevention strategies that offer the best value for money. This partnership process helps to cultivate alliances and support for future childhood obesity prevention planning.
The CHOICES microsimulation model predicts what will happen in the future if we do not implement childhood obesity prevention strategies. We created a virtual population of people who look like real people in Allegheny County. We projected their growth over time, taking into account trends from health and behavior data and population growth. We predict future obesity rates 10 years later, as well as future obesity related health care costs. We compare what happens if we implement these strategies versus what happens if we do nothing.
To create the model, ACHD spoke with real experts for the two strategies of Active PE and Afterschool Snack Policies. Active PE experts included Physical Education (PE) teachers, education researchers, and school administration. Afterschool experts included out of school time program staff and directors. These experts met with the CHOICES Team at two in-person site visits and spoke with ACHD staff about their experiences with PE and food served during out of school time programs. Conversations and data from experts, along with Live Well Allegheny Community Partners helped to build the model.
The first strategy that ACHD modeled with the CHOICES Team focused on Active PE in Live Well Allegheny Schools. We modeled what would happen if school districts committed 50% of physical education (PE) class to moderate to vigorous physical activity. This strategy included implementing an evidence-based program called SPARK PE. SPARK PE includes on-site workshops led to train PE teachers on strategies and curricula to implement Active PE, providing equipment and instructional materials needed to maintain Active PE, and oversight of implementation and monitoring from an Allegheny County PE coordinator.
For more information about this strategy and model results, check out our Active PE Brief.
The second strategy that ACHD modeled with the CHOICES Team focused on a healthy snack policy with Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time (APOST) and Healthy Out of School Time (HOST). We modeled what would happen if APOST and HOST implemented a policy that does not allow children to bring in their own snacks to afterschool programs and only offers healthy food and/or beverage choices that are part of federal reimbursable meal programs and support good nutrition. This strategy had two scenarios: when foods and beverages/sugary drinks are prohibited and when just beverages/sugary drinks are prohibited.
For more information about this strategy and model results, check out our Healthy Snacks Policy Brief.
In 2017, ACHD received funding from the PA Department of Health to promote the safety and wellbeing of Allegheny County residents. In partnership with community organizations, the Safe & Healthy Communities Initiative promotes programming to help people across the lifespan live safely.
Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) is working with community partners on the following:
Our Partners Include:
With funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, ACHD expanded Live Well Allegheny through strategic partnerships with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Just Harvest, United Way’s fitUnited, Allegheny County Economic Development, and RAND Health to increase access to healthy food options and physical activity opportunities, and survey health behaviors to improve health in Allegheny County. By implementing innovative programming, the partners aimed to reduce poor nutrition and physical inactivity, increase access to healthy opportunities, and create health equity in all neighborhoods. Find more details about this project in the interactive story map shown below.
In 2015, health department expanded the Live Well Allegheny campaign by engaging youth as leaders in community health improvement as part of our Student-Led Health Initiative. The goal was to empower young leaders who will both develop and deliver health messages to youth in our community to help them develop lifelong habits to live healthier lives. Student-led initiatives include: