Health
Healthy Chicago initiative launched
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 25, 2008
Government agencies and medical societies are joining together to make Chicago more conducive to healthier eating and levels of physical activity. The hope is create a program that makes a difference and can be replicated elsewhere in the country.
"By adopting a healthy lifestyle such as a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and not smoking, you can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease, but this takes some help. We aim to provide that help," said American Medical Association President Ron Davis, MD. "We can make the U.S. healthier one community at a time."
The initiative will include wellness programs for employees of various private- and public-sector institutions, public education programs and the hosting of exercise-related events.
Other members of the partnership include the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, the Illinois Governor's Council on Health and Fitness, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Assn. and the Chicago Area Runners Assn.
"We are pleased and honored that federal health officials have chosen Chicago as the first city where they will focus their new urban health efforts," said Terry Mason, MD, commissioner of the Chicago Dept. of Health.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/02/25/hlbf0225.htm.