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    12Apr, 2022
    Teen Expo at Duquesne University

    ACHD Participates in Teen Expo at Duquesne University

     

    ACHD Injury Prevention Staff and partners presented the first Teen Drivers Safety Expo at Duquesne University on Thursday, March 17, 2022. We worked with the following partners to organize the event: AAA, PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project, Port Authority Police, Allegheny County Police, and the Duquesne University Police.

    The Teen Expo gives students the opportunity to practice safe driver and passenger behaviors while they learn about highway safety by playing games and participating in fun activities. One activity students participated in was trying to complete a maze while using weed goggles. The goggles simulate the effects of marijuana that result in delayed decision-making skills.

    Another activity was conducted with our local law enforcement officers, including the Allegheny County and Port Authority Police Officers. This activity used the ‘beer goggles’ to conduct field sobriety tests. The sobriety test is similar to those used if an officer thought a driver was impaired. While the results of the maze and the field sobriety tests were often funny in this relaxed setting, the intent is to make the students aware of the dangers of smoking marijuana and how this impacts their decision-making skills while they are driving or even taking a test while impaired.

    Teen Expo at Duquesne University

    5Oct, 2020
    Health Screenings & Flu Shot Clinics

    No-cost flu shots and screenings for chronic diseases, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

     OCTOBER TIME LOCATION
    7th 3-5 PM Propel Hazelwood Charter School
    8th 5-8 PM Caliguiri Plaza (Allentown)
    13th 5-8 PM Gualtieri Manor (Beechview)
    14th 3-4 PM Propel Hazelwood Charter School
    5-8 PM Frank Mazza Pavilion (Brookline)
    15th 5-8 PM Carrick Regency (Carrick)
    18th 2-4 PM Hazelwood Below the Tracks (5007 Lytle Street)
    20th 5-8 PM Morse Gardens (Southside)
    21st 2-4 PM Finello Pavilion (Oakland)
    22nd 5-8 PM Murray Towers (Squirrel Hill)
    24th 10 AM-2 PM SOKO Community Market (Hill District)

    For more information, call or text the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy at 412-342-8276

    (Download this page as a PDF)

    26Jun, 2020
    Healthy Streets Dormont

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has been challenged to think differently. The Borough of Dormont, a Live Well Allegheny Community, is doing just that with the implementation of the Healthy Streets Dormont Project.

    Residents organized a petition and made a presentation to council to create safer outdoor spaces for walking, biking, or cycling with less interference from traffic and provide room for people to get outside and keep at least 6 feet from others. The Healthy Streets Dormont Project launched on June 8. It will run through June 30 and then.

    During this time, Grandin Avenue and Memorial Drive will be open to only local traffic and deliveries. The Dormont Pool parking lot is also closed to traffic except one row of parking for park users. There are signs around the streets and parking lot to explain the closures.

    “We saw an opportunity for the borough to be flexible and creative in light of the changing needs of our residents during the COVID-19 shutdown,” said Jen Mazzocco, Vice President of the Dormont Borough Council. “People were going out in their neighborhoods more often to get some exercise and a break from the indoors. Many of us witnessed our neighbors using the streets to give social distancing space to others they passed, so when we saw the presentation, we thought it could possibly be a way to make outdoor physical activity easier and safer during a time when that was so important to our community’s physical and mental wellbeing.”

    The pilot is just in its beginning stages, but the council is already looking at the advantages of the program and gathering information on whether to expand it. The Traffic, Parking, and Planning Commission has been tasked with creating a more sustainable, comprehensive plan for the program.

    “I’d love to see a network of ‘healthy’ streets that cross the borough and help create safer paths to our park, pool and business district as well as provide more open space for those who don’t live close to those places. That will require a lot more data and planning, and we are hoping the pilot gives us some good information to start that process,” Mazzocco said.

    Dormont encourages and welcomes all ideas and feedback for the program. More information about the program can be found on the Borough of Dormont website: http://boro.dormont.pa.us/healthy-streets-dormont/

    6Aug, 2019
    Babb Inc. finds a fun way to stay active at work with the Annual LiveWell Open!

    Babb Inc., a Live Well Allegheny Workplace, is leading the way in encouraging workplace wellness. In June, the Wellbeing Department hosted the 4th Annual LiveWell Open Golf Tournament in concurrence with the 2019 U.S. Open.

    The team set up a 5-hole par-16 mini-golf course in the Ballroom of the Babb Inc. historical building located on Pittsburgh’s Northside. To enhance workplace culture and encourage participation, trophies, prizes, and, of course, bragging rights were awarded to the top golfers in the men’s and women’s categories. Practice rounds were held the week leading up to the tournament that took place on Wednesday, June 12.

    This type of event creates friendly competition between coworkers and provides an opportunity for people to get up and move during the day. More than 20 people participated in the tournament. Babb, Inc. continues to grow their culture with different activities, such as the LiveWell Open, that reflect their belief that employee care and wellbeing is the number one priority in any organization.

    Another way that Babb, Inc. is promoting wellbeing and engagement is through the 4th Annual SparkPittsburgh Step Challenge, which runs September 1 through October 15. This free and friendly challenge is designed to help organizations move towards better health and wellbeing one step at a time. Along with competing against other organizations, all steps contribute to Pittsburgh’s total step count to help make a difference in the health and wellbeing of the city!

    This year, SparkPittsburgh is excited to announce the addition of Cleveland to the campaign (SparkCleveland)! Through the success of Pittsburgh, the partners hope to continue to expand Spark across the nation to help improve lifestyles across America. Visit www.SparkPittsburgh.com to join the challenge today!

     

    13May, 2019
    May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Learn Tips and Tricks for Preventing Tick Bites and Lyme Disease

    Did you know that Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 300,000 people contract the disease every year with most cases occurring in the northeastern region of the country. The disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by the blacklegged tick.

    With some preparation, you can take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from tick bites and Lyme Disease. Ticks are most active during the warmer months, and the chance of being bitten by a tick is greatest from May-September. Before going outdoors, know where to expect ticks and avoid those areas, pretreat clothing and gear, and use insect repellent. Ticks live in grassy, wooded areas. When walking through the woods, stay in the center of trails and avoid areas with high grass and leaf litter. Clothing and shoes can be treated with permethrin. Spraying clothes and shoes with permethrin can be one of the most effective techniques for preventing tick bites. Additionally, some insect repellents can help protect you from tick bites. Use the Environmental Protection Agency’s insect repellent search tool to find the right repellent for ticks.

    Ticks can be carried into the house on clothing, gear, and pets. Check your clothing and gear and remove any ticks that are found. Shower soon after being outdoors. Consider drying clothes in a tumble dryer on high heat for 10 minutes which will kill ticks. It is essential to check your body for ticks after being outside. Conduct a full body check and remove any ticks within 24 hours if possible. Check the following parts of your body:

    • Under the arms
    • In and around the ears
    • Inside belly button
    • Behind the knees
    • In and around the hair
    • Between the legs
    • Around the waist

    Following these steps will ensure that you and your family are protected from tick bites while enjoying time outdoors. For more information about ticks and Lyme Disease from our ACHD vector-borne illness team, please visit: http://bit.ly/ACHDLyme.

    9Apr, 2019
    Live Well Allegheny partners, Red Lantern Bike Shop and Braddock Carnegie Library, collaborated to install an outdoor bike repair stand

    One of the goals of Live Well Allegheny is to involve partners from all sectors—nonprofit, public, and private – in our campaign to make Allegheny County the healthiest county. Through our extensive community partner network, we aim to promote health and wellness in a variety of organizations. We also encourage our partners to work together to expand their work on health and to reach different communities. Two of our Live Well Allegheny partners, the Red Lantern Bike Shop and the Braddock Carnegie Library, provide an example of the power of connections with their recent collaboration on an outdoor bike repair stand.

    The Red Lantern Bike Shop partnered with the Braddock Carnegie Library to install an outdoor bike repair stand at the library located in Braddock. The outdoor bike repair stand allows community members to put air in their tires for free and perform as-needed repairs to their bicycles. The free resource is a powerful tool for community members who use bicycles for transportation and recreation. Funding for the project was provided by PeopleForBikes.

    The Red Lantern, which operates with a team of volunteers, provides free bicycle repairs and free bikes to children in the community. Currently run out of a repurposed shipping container, the bike shop provides free repairs, charging only for parts that need to be ordered. Additionally, part of the mission of the shop is to provide free bikes to kids whose families may not be able to afford a new bike. Volunteers collect used bicycles, fix them, and distribute them to families with children. Due to limited space and capacity, the Red Lantern is currently only open on Saturday mornings.

    To expand the free resources provided by the bike shop, the Red Lantern partnered with the Braddock Carnegie Library to provide a space that is open 24/7 for bike repairs. The outdoor space provides access to an air pump and other tools that are required for bike repairs. By partnering with a popular community resource like Braddock Carnegie Library, the Red Lantern can serve more people in the community.

    Do you know of an organization that would make a good Live Well Allegheny community partner? Spread the word! Organizations can find more information and apply here.

    1Jun, 2017
    Allegheny County’s DHS Hosts Biggest Loser Workplace Challenge

    June 1, 2017

    PITTSBURGH – Our most recent Live Well Allegheny story comes from a county department that has made the commitment to supporting the health of their employees. The Department of Human Services (DHS) is taking steps to create a culture of workplace wellness. Most recently, DHS employees have been participating in a 12-week Biggest Loser competition! Twenty-nine employees participated in Season 1 of DHS Biggest Loser, which took place between January 3rd and March 24th.  The participants collectively lost over 450 pounds (an average of sixteen pounds per participant), with four participants losing over thirty pounds each.

    The top “loser” described his approach to shedding 49 pounds:

    “Well, first I’ll say it is 100% mental. I started by finding out my recommended calorie intake per day.  There are many free websites for this.  I just Googled it and picked one. My recommended intake is around 2,100 calories per day. I try to stay at or below that each day. I also went from having minimal exercise throughout the week to doing an hour of cardio six days a week. I switch between the treadmill and the elliptical. I typically use it as an opportunity to catch up on sports, or watch a television show.”

    In addition to being leaner, the participant also acknowledged being able to sleep better at night.

    The program emphasizes the importance of healthy food choices and increased exercise. All participants are part of a private Office 365 group, where they can voluntarily share tips, recipes, and other resources and encouragement. In addition, the program seeks to foster a culture of wellness by sponsoring informational talks, tours of local gyms, and lunchtime walks. The opportunity to be part of this supportive community is one incentive to participate.

    DHS Biggest Loser Season 2 began on April 18th.  Over 40 employees are now participating and looking to build upon the success of Season 1!

    Please take a moment to watch this video featuring the stories of a few Season 1 participants: https://vimeo.com/209764088

    If you’d like more information about the Biggest Loser competition at DHS, please contact Eddy Jones at edward.jones@alleghenycounty.us.

    25Apr, 2017
    Go Out and Play for Healthy Communities

    Wouldn’t it be great if there were one thing that could improve academic performance, decrease childhood obesity, spur creativity and innovation, invigorate local economies with investment, all while reducing stress and anxiety?  Would it surprise you to know that “play” has been linked to these benefits? While play alone may not be a silver bullet to addressing these concerns, it is certainly a vital component to healthy and engaged communities.

    The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative

    The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative is a group of committed individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing the importance of play in the lives of children, families and communities in the Pittsburgh region.

    Beginning in 2013 through informal conversations about the value of play between leaders from Pittsburgh Association for The Education of Young Children (PAEYC), Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Carnegie Museum of Art, and Kids Plus Pediatrics, the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative has grown from four founding members to include 22 member organizations in the Pittsburgh region.

    Members of the collaborative work to advocate for play in each of our diverse fields. We come together to host play conversation events, present our city’s case for play at national conferences, raise awareness about play through community events, and demonstrate how play can be used as a catalyst for community development through projects like our work on the Greater Hazelwood Play Trail and Braddock’s Recycle Park.

    Greater Hazelwood Play Trail

    Through a multi-year process of community engagement and planning what Hazelwood may look like if it were the “neighborhood of play,” the Greater Hazelwood Play Trail is beginning to take shape. Linking together different playful areas in the neighborhood, the trail will serve as a reminder that play can happen anywhere.

    In September 2016, a vacant lot turned playground at 5113 Lytle Street was the first in a series of sites along the greater Hazelwood Play Trail to receive an injection of creativity and play. With generous support from the Heinz Endowments, the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, PAEYC, and the Hazelwood Initiative partnered with KaBOOM! to bring together a group of over 160 volunteers to build a playground in a single day.

    In coming months, the former site of the Elizabeth Street Playground, now a paved lot, will begin its transformation into a playful parklet featuring new gardens, public art, and space for community programing.

    See Play in Action! Join us for Ultimate Play Day

    This year, the 5th Annual Ultimate Play Day will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 1-4 pm in Allegheny Commons East Park in the Northside. Members from the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative will bring a variety of activities that highlight the value and importance of play as an essential part of living well.

    Attendees of all ages can begin to experience firsthand the benefits of play and will leave with ideas to encourage play in their own lives. The event is free and open to the public.

    Keep Play in Mind

    Everyone can benefit from dedicating a small part of each day to play! Visit the website to learn more and stay connected through the e-newsletter at www.playfulpgh.org.

    For more information about the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, contact Teresa Pizzella at tpizzella@paeyc.org.

    14Nov, 2016
    Live Well Allegheny, Tobacco Free Allegheny Celebrate Tobacco Cessation Week

    November 11, 2016

    Allegheny Quits for Life Being Celebrated November 13-19

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), Tobacco Free Allegheny (TFA) and supporting partners are joining together, for the second year, to celebrate Allegheny Quits for Life in Allegheny County, November 13-19. The week is dedicated to promoting tobacco cessation and healthy activities. The kick off will take place on Monday in the Allegheny County Courthouse Courtyard located at 436 Grant Street, downtown Pittsburgh at noon.

    father_and_babyAdult smoking rates in the county of almost 23% in 2012 were higher than Pennsylvania and the nation. “Decreasing smoking by 10% is a primary objective of our Live Well Allegheny campaign,” said Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the Allegheny County Health Department. “For those who smoke, consider quitting this week. There are lots of options for cessation that can make all the difference.”

    Allegheny Quits for Life week includes numerous events, hosted by Tobacco Free Allegheny and participating partner organizations such as Pittsburgh Mercy Health System who will bring Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh to the kickoff for “Merengue Monday,” linking quitting smoking with making fun healthy choices in support of Live Well Allegheny’s #HowDoYouLiveWell campaign. All of the events are aimed at helping individuals stop tobacco use and learn to live healthier. Visit http://bit.ly/AQFL16week  for the dates, times and locations.

    Allegheny Quits for Life also coincides with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, being held on Thursday, November 17, when smokers are encouraged to quit for the day. By quitting, even for just one day, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk.

    fryThose thinking about quitting smoking are encouraged to call 1 800 QUIT NOW (784-8669). The PA Free Quitline offers personalized counseling sessions and free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges) is available. Online cessation services are available at https://paquitlogix.org.

    Throughout the week, the Health Department is asking people to share images using the hashtags #AlleghenyQuitsforLife2016 and #HowDoYouLiveWell on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Many have already been posted with answers to the question: What are you quitting for?

    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.

    19Oct, 2016
    Live Well Allegheny Celebrates Fresh Corners and Green Grocer Programs

    October 19, 2016

    PITTSBURGH – Live Well Allegheny, Allegheny County’s wellness campaign led by the Board of Health and Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Director Dr. Karen Hacker, continued its efforts to enhance food access by eliminating food deserts at an event yesterday that celebrated both the Fresh Corners Program and the Green Grocer Program. Both programs were represented at a kick-off event at 5GB’s Fresh Foods Market in McKees Rocks.

    “Access to fresh healthy foods is critical for healthy living,” said Dr. Hacker. “We are proud to support innovative efforts like the Green Grocer and Fresh Corners Programs to decrease the food deserts. This collaboration is what Live Well Allegheny is all about, organizations coming together to make it easier for county residents to get what they need to live a healthy lifestyle.”

    just-harvest-primary-with-tagThe Fresh Corners Program was launched by Just Harvest as a healthy corner store initiative to improve access to healthy food in underserved neighborhoods in Allegheny County. The Green Grocer Program, managed by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB), is a mobile farmers market designed to travel into food desert communities to provide the fresh food options that are currently missing from the landscape. Both programs are funded, in part, by a two-year grant received from the Richard King Mellon Foundation awarded to ACHD in June 2016 to continue its Live Well Allegheny efforts to enhance food access.

    Yesterday’s event was a health benefit kick-off event at 5GB’s Fresh Foods Market which is part of the Fresh Corners Program, and beginning yesterday, became a site of the Green Grocer mobile farmers market. The mobile food market will stop at 5GB’s Fresh Food Market each Tuesday from 12 -1:00 p.m. Just Harvest, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, and Community Kitchen Pittsburgh all participated in yesterday’s event which also provided health and wellness information and cooking demonstrations.

    5GB’s Fresh Food Market recently received authorization to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the store. Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits are accepted at the Green Grocer.

    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.