Hello!
Congratulations to our newest members! At the beginning of June, we welcomed four new members: Richland Township, Edgeworth Borough, Pashek+MTR, and Arnold’s Coffee & Tea.
Welcome summer! Summer is the perfect season for prioritizing your health and wellness. The warmer weather and longer days offer many opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating. Take advantage of the nice weather by biking around town. Check out some of the best biking trails in Southwestern Pennsylvania here! Also, take time to visit one of Allegheny County’s numerous farmers’ markets to stock up on fresh, locally grown produce.
While you are enjoying all that summer has to offer, it is important to remember basic safety and injury prevention tips. June is National Safety Month. Throughout the month, we encourage everyone to prioritize safety and prevent injuries. To celebrate National Safety Month, ACHD’s Traffic Safety Education Project is highlighting child passenger safety and the importance of choosing and using proper car seats. Check out the Live Well Story for all the details!
Do you have an event coming up? Please let us know so we can add it to the Live Well Allegheny event calendar. Contact Marie Fontelo (Marie.Fontelo@AlleghenyCounty.US) with details. And don’t forget to check the partner resources page of the web site for additional resources.
Like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.
Karen Hacker, MD, MPH
Director, Allegheny County Health Department
What’s New in the Campaign?
June is National Safety Month. Did you know, injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44? Fortunately, there are many things people can do to prevent injuries and stay safe. Check out this month’s Live Well Story for information about ACHD’s Traffic Safety Education Project and the importance of car seat checks.
Interested in highlighting a health initiative in your organization? Please reach out to Kristen Rodack (Kristen.Rodack@AlleghenyCounty.US).
Welcome to our newest Live Well Allegheny Community Partner, EAT Initiative! The Empowerment Awareness & Training (E.A.T.) Initiative Inc. is a non-profit organization that envisions a world of fed and sustainable communities. The organization achieves that vision by hosting hands-on cooking demonstrations and career development via hospitality training focused in food vulnerable families.
For more information, please visit: www.eminenthospitality.com.
Events & Funding Opportunities
The return of summer means the Summer Food Service Program is back! The USDA’s Summer Food Service Program is a federally-funded, state-administered program that provides free meals and snacks to children and teens throughout the summer months. Anyone 18 and under is eligible to receive free, healthy meals and snacks at participating summer food sites throughout Allegheny County.
To find a site near you call 2-1-1 or text FOOD to 877-877.
Do you work with older adults in Allegheny County? The senior farmers’ market voucher distribution day is June 11th! The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition program provides eligible seniors with four $5 checks that can be redeemed at farmers’ markets in Allegheny County. To be eligible, you must be a resident of Allegheny County, be at least 60 years of age in 2019, and be at or below income level of $23,107 for 1 person or $31,284 for 2 people.
For more information, including distribution sites call the SeniorLine at 412-350-5460 or visit: www.alleghenycounty.us.
The fourth annual Wellness 4 Schools Symposium is on June 13th. The Wellness 4 Schools program from American HealthCare Group brings health and wellness on-site to schools and empowers teachers and students to make healthy choices. Join the organization at the Sarah Heinz House for a symposium about the program and learn more about how you can become a wellness champion for your school.
For more information and to register, please visit: american-healthcare.net.
Do you eat food? The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC) wants to talk with you! PFPC is developing a food action plan for Allegheny County. As part of the process, they are holding multiple community engagement sessions to get feedback from community members. Share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas for stronger and healthier communities.
Sessions are being held on June 13th, June 27th, July 29th, August 6th, and August 27th. For more information, including time and location, please visit: www.facebook.com.
Mark your calendars for the Third Annual Pennsylvania LGBTQA Health Conference being held June 18-19. This year’s skill-based conference will focus on addressing tobacco and behavioral health disparities through the lens of trauma-informed care and resiliency. Registration is open. For more information, please visit: www.eventbrite.com.
Public Health News
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Worldwide, 50 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. This month, we are joining the Alzheimer’s Association in raising awareness about brain health. You can reduce your risk of cognitive decline by adopting key lifestyle habits like getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and challenging your mind. It’s never too late or too early to incorporate healthy habits that help your mind and body.
Check out these tips more ways to love your brain!
June 27th is National HIV Testing Day. More than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and 1 in 7 people don’t know they have it. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Celebrate National HIV Testing Day by getting tested and encouraging your friends and family to get tested too.
ACHD provides free and confidential STD/HIV testing at our STD/HIV-AIDS clinic. No appointment or insurance is necessary. Anyone 13 years and older can be seen. No parental consent is required.
This is the latest Live Well Allegheny e-update. Please find a variety of information that will be helpful to you in your efforts and can also be shared within your own networks. As always, you can find a great deal of information on our website at: www.livewellallegheny.com including partner resources which are available here.
We now have 64 communities, 49 restaurants, 31 workplaces and 18 school districts united in our efforts!