Live Well Allegheny: October 2022 E-Update
Welcome to October!
This is the latest Live Well Allegheny e-update. It is full of information that will help in making Allegheny County healthy for all. This can also be shared with your own networks.
We have 350+ partners united in our efforts to make Allegheny County healthy for all!
Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.
A Letter From Our Director
Greetings from the Director’s Office,
Fall is the perfect time to get out and explore your community by walking. Western Pennsylvania is known for fall foliage. Walking is a great way to see the leaves changing and improve your health at the same time. Walking improves both physical and mental wellness, plus it’s a form of exercise that many people can participate in – from children to older adults.
October has many health observances including Health Literacy Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If one or more of these resonate with your family or neighbors, view the resources in our “October Health Observances” section for more information and share them.
Thank you for your time and enjoy this month’s Live Well Allegheny e-update.
As always – please be safe and be kind,
Dr. Debra Bogen
Director, Allegheny County Health Department
Welcome New Live Well Allegheny Partners!
To become a Live Well Partner each organization has pledged to promote the Live Well Allegheny mission of promoting health and wellness in their organization.
Kenny’s Homewood – Kenny’s is a community and cultural celebration space in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood. The organization supports the Live Well Allegheny mission by promoting health and wellness in their events. For more information about Kenny’s Homewood, visit their website.
Project Destiny – Project Destiny is a place where youth are empowered to become leaders in their community as they develop character, vision, and knowledge of the world. They support the Live Well Allegheny mission by incorporating physical activity in their programs. They also evaluate the 18 social determinants of health through their “Thrive 18” program. For more information about Project Destiny, visit their website.
Live Well Allegheny Story
Pittsburgh Langley Holds Walk to School Day Event
The 26th Annual National Walk to School Day was held on October 6 at Pittsburgh Langley K-8.
National Walk to School Day promotes safe, active transportation. Active transportation is a way of getting around that is powered by human energy, specifically walking and biking. Along with providing a safe space for children and their families to walk to school, the day is about partnering with local law enforcement to draw attention to road safety. This includes speed restrictions near school routes and restructuring carpool line traffic flows to reduce conflicts with walking students, among other safety improvements.
The event was organized by Safe Kids Allegheny, a local coalition of Safe Kids Worldwide led by UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The Allegheny County Health Department Injury Prevention Program are members and participate in Safe Kids activities as well. Safe Kids Allegheny Coalition members include state, local and college police officers. This is the 10th year that the Injury Prevention program has participated in the event.
On the day of the event, Safe Kids Allegheny worked with community partners and the Pitt Police Community Programs Unit. Volunteers were stationed at strategic positions where it was safest for students and their guardians to walk. They also walked with students and observed their behavior. The goal of the day was to ensure a safe crossing experience within the designated crossing areas and to avoid any no cross areas.
Visit the Safe Kids Allegheny County website for more information.
Live Well, Be Well
Did you know? Increasing evidence shows there are things you can do to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Some things you can do include:
- Get regular physical activity
- Eat a balanced diet
- Avoid or limit alcohol consumption
- Don’t use tobacco products
Find additional resources for dementia risk reduction here.
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being active benefits your mind and body.
Visit cdc.gov/Movingmatters for more resources to help you get moving!
Live Well Partner Resources
October Health Observances
Health Literacy Month
Every October we celebrate Health Literacy Month – a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. MyHealthFinder is a tool that provides easy-to-understand consumer resources about health topics.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is a time to raise awareness about breast cancer. You can help lower your breast cancer risk by:
- Keeping a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Choosing not to drink alcohol, or only drink in moderation
For more resources about breast cancer, check out the CDC’s Breast Cancer resources pages.
Health Department Updates
2022 Live Well Allegheny Speaker Series
November Event: Food Safety Program
Join us for the November Live Well Learning Collaborative Virtual Speaker Series on Tuesday, November 15, from 10-11 a.m.
This presentation will help you prepare for the holiday season as well as an opportunity to learn more about food safety in general.
Questions for the speaker can be sent to [email protected].
Chronic Disease Spotlight
According to the CDC, six in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in 10 adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources.
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells that can result in death, if not treated. Most causes of cancer are unknown, but there are some factors that can increase risk.
Cancer in Allegheny County
Based on data from 2019, 8.1 percent of adults aged 18 and over in Allegheny County were diagnosed with cancer by a health professional. (CDC Places, 2019) In 2019, cancer was responsible for about 20 percent of all deaths in Allegheny County. Of all cancer deaths, 23 percent were linked to cancer of the lung and bronchus. (Pennsylvania Death Certificate Dataset). These cancers are often related to tobacco use.
Risk Factors for Cancer
- Tobacco use
- Excess sun exposure
- Obesity
- Alcohol use
- Family history
For more cancer information and resources visit: