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Thursday, December 23, 2010

New Mexico Health Impact Assessment Bill (2010)

New Mexico Senator Keller will introduce a bill during the 2010 legislative session that would require the analysis of health impacts of proposed legislation on community health. Health Impact Assessments would be supported by a fund generated by an annual assessment upon health insurers. According to Senator Keller, "understanding the social determinants of health and how they impact the cost of healthcare system and fundamental livability of our communities is critical to better decision making at all levels."

You can find the bill here:
http://www.humanimpact.org/doc-lib/finish/17/89
And more about HIA Policy here:
http://www.humanimpact.org/hia-policy

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The International Community Trail: Street Trees

By Joanne McEntire, Trail Project Planner, J. McEntire llc



New street trees are a joy to behold! You’ll find them on Martin Luther King Blvd. between University and I-25, indicating its recent road diet. ACHIEVE recommends that trees are planted between sidewalks and curbs on the International Community Trail.

Trees offer shade and beauty and a traffic calming influence. I visited the three Trail sites with trees with Nick Kuhn, the City Forester. We started at Talin, where Sycamores are planted on Louisiana. The wide sidewalks with pavement design, planters, sculpture, and tile work create one of the best public spaces in the district.

When the UNM Health Clinic on Central and Texas was designed, the U included wide sidewalks with tree buffers and fully accessible entrances to the site. The Box Elders on Central are set in a large basin that catches some run-off from the sidewalks, which is helpful in harsh conditions.

The third site on the Trail is the driveway into Phil Chacon Park (or Kathryn), on the south side of Van Buren Middle School, where some trees were planted by a level, wide sidewalk.

We also visited the Wilson School Pool Park, where the sidewalk on Anderson is right against the curb. We imagined a basin of trees planted by the curb with a sidewalk meandering into the park, perhaps to accompany future pool and playground improvements that Councilor Garduño has recommended. The young Texas Oaks that were recently planted in the park had glowing leaves this autumn. Wilson and NACA students walk by the park, and Anderson and Cardenas would be much nicer with tree treatments.

Street trees are possible along the International District Trail if the city and neighbors make room for them. The city engineer might approve road diets on Trail streets, or property owners could provide space for them, as the UNM Clinic did.

Street trees have to be tough and resilient! Property owners should care for street trees so they can nurture the community for decades. Visit www.abqtrees.com for suggested trees, tree care information and funding opportunities. Send a note to jomcen@msn.com to obtain a list of small grant opportunities.  Envision a shaded Trail!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Health Equity

By Enrique Cardiel
Facilitator, International District Healthy Communities Coalition (IDHCC)

Health equity is often defined by what it is not. Health inequities are those differences in health outcomes that can be prevented by policies and actions and are therefore unfair. Given that health begins where we live, work, play, and love it is easy to see the fairness issues.

Ask yourself, “Are there parts of town that are unfairly neglected and underserved?” “Are there people unfairly blocked from access to resources?” And most importantly, “Why in a society where we are legally bound to fairness and equality of opportunities, do we see consistently unequal outcomes?”

While there is some subjectivity to answering these questions there is also a common sense. We know there are neglected parts of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, and they tend to be where poor people, Chicanos, Native Americans, African Americans, and immigrants live. We know there are barriers to people accessing resources such as education, clean air, and jobs based on where they live, what they look like, and their language.

We have recently spent a year discussing reform to the medical services insurance system of our country. We are far from a solution. It is time that we made it so that any one of us can see a doctor when they need to. And it is also time that we made it less necessary to do so. Not everyone has the same opportunities to make choices that ensure them a long and healthy life. It is time we that opportunity something we all have!

For an academic reading on Health Equity read
http://depts.washington.edu/eqhlth/pages/BezruchkaUSHealthInequality10Cor.pdf

Thursday, December 2, 2010

House Approves Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Bill Awaits President’s Signature


WASHINGTON, DC—The House of Representatives today approved the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307), paving the way for President Obama to sign the legislation. The bill will improve school meals, support farmers through Farm to School programs, address skyrocketing obesity rates, and feed more hungry children.

The Community Food Security Coalition, whose members have worked tirelessly in support of child nutrition legislation in the 111th Congress, applauds the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. As a co-host of the National Farm to School Network, CFSC has been particularly active in advocating new funding for Farm to School programs.

"Today, we celebrate a truly historic moment. We thank the sponsors of this legislation for providing leadership and including a first-time investment in Farm to School programs in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Funding this innovative and effective program will benefit America’s children and farmers through providing healthy foods and creating new markets,” stated Anupama Joshi, Co-Director of the National Farm to School Network.

“By connecting schools with local farmers, the bill creates a win-win for our nation’s children and farmers and builds on a proven method of combating childhood obesity. We congratulate Congress for providing tens of millions of dollars for Farm to School programs,” stated Marion Kalb, Co-Director of the National Farm to School Network.

With one in four children in this country at risk of hunger, and one in three obese or overweight, S. 3307 is a step in the right direction. However, the improvements it provides are paid for partly through cuts to food stamps. CFSC, its members and allies are committed to working with champions in the White House and Congress on timely measures to restore food stamp funding and protect federal nutrition programs from further cuts.

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The Community Food Security Coalition catalyzes food systems that are healthy, sustainable, just, and democratic by building community voice and capacity for change. The coalition’s diverse membership includes more than 400 social and economic justice, anti-hunger, environmental, community development, sustainable agriculture, community gardening, and other organizations.

Media Release by Allison Burket
Community Food Security Coalition
202-543-8602
allison.foodsecurity@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Social determinants of health



Images depicting differing social circumstances
The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.

Go to the CDC and WHO websites for more information:
http://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/
http://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/

Monday, November 29, 2010

Switching Gears: More Commuters Bike To Work

 by Allison Aubrey/NPR Morning Edition

November 29, 2010 One way National Geographic staffers in Washington, D.C., can get to know their company's CEO is to take him up on his long-standing offer: to go for a lunchtime bike ride.
"Anyone still downstairs? OK, so we ready to go, guys?" National Geographic Society CEO John Fahey asks a group of about 20 employees
Fahey, an avid biker, says he's just trying to encourage a little exercise — and he wants the opportunity to get to know folks informally. As the group makes the 15-mile trek to Hains Point along the Potomac River and back, Fahey makes a point of chatting with everyone, staffers say.
At National Geographic — which is a hub of outdoorsy, adventure-seeking types who think nothing of biking busy city streets — lots of the staffers who join Fahey for the lunchtime rides also use their bikes to get to and from work every day.
"I've been riding in for 19 years," says senior photo editor Dan Westergren, adding that he has definitely noticed the boom — especially as bike paths and bike lanes along city streets have improved.
Cycling Culture
If you bike to work in Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Chicago or San Francisco, you're part of a boom. Cycling has at least tripled over the past two decades in these — and other — big cities across the U.S.
"It's almost like a snowball effect," says researcher John Pucher of Rutgers University. "People see other people cycling and they say, 'Wow!' " As part of a three-year research project for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pucher has completed a preliminary report that documents the increase in biking in nine major North American cities.
"It's almost become a cultural phenomenon," Pucher says. "It's become the 'in' thing to do." For many city dwellers, it's a money saver, a time saver and a way to sneak in daily exercise.
Research shows that the extra physical activity that people get from walking and biking to work or school is not offset by less recreational activity.
"[Active commuters] actually double the amount of their total physical activity," says Pucher. And as a result, Pucher says cities with lots of "active" commuters tend to be healthier. The most recent evidence comes from a study Pucher and his colleagues published in the American Journal of Public Health.
They found that the U.S. cities with the highest rates of walking and cycling to work have obesity rates that are 20 percent lower and diabetes rates that are 23 percent lower — compared with U.S. cities with the lowest rates of walking and cycling.
National Geographic Society CEO John Fahey talks to Dan Westergren, who is also an avid cyclist.
Maggie Starbard/NPR National Geographic Society CEO John Fahey talks with colleague Dan Westergren, who is also an avid cyclist.
Just 'Hide The Bike Grease'
There are, of course, a few daily obstacles. Take the weather. "In the winter it's just gross sometimes with the ice," staffer Julia Yordanova says. And there are also the dangers of traffic. "It's the cab drivers," says Jonathan Irish.
Not to mention the need to try to fit in a shower at the office. "You just try to hide the bike grease on your calf as you're sitting in a meeting," says Barbara Noe, an editor at Travel Books.
But hey, if the office culture tolerates a little sweat on the brow — or grease on the calf — take it a sign of good health. That's the way Pucher sees it.
Pucher says, "Most people understand that walking and cycling is healthy. They don't think as something they could integrate into their daily lives."
http://www.npr.org/2010/11/23/131539669/switching-gears-more-commuters-bike-to-work#
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=131539669&m=131660820

Monday, November 15, 2010

NM Public Health Association 7th Annual Health Policy Legislative Forum

The NMPHA Annual Health Policy Legislative Forum provides the only opportunity in New Mexico for organizations and individuals working to improve their community’s health by engaging in the state legislative process to come together and share their legislative agendas for the upcoming state legislative session. Organizations are given a chance to make a brief statement about their legislative proposals and also submit summary information to be included in a booklet. The booklet is distributed to all Forum participants, as well as many policymakers and other interested parties after the Forum. The Forum provides an environment in which policy advocates can identify allies and possible collaborators, as well as request support from NMPHA and other participating organizations.
Special highlights of the 2010 Forum will include:
  • A keynote presentation by Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder and CEO of Policy Link. Sponsored by the NM Health Equity Working Group, Ms. Glover Blackwell will address institutionalized racism.
  • HSD Secretary Katie Falls will provide a high-level overview of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and how the state is gearing up to implement its many policies, programs, and responsibilities. This will be followed by a panel of experts and advocates, all of whom will lead afternoon workshops, to comment on specific parts and aspects of the health reform bill of interest to the New Mexico public health community.
  • Afternoon breakout sessions on PPACA and its implications for Public Health in New Mexico, including sessions on provisions affecting the Native American community, school-based health care, and the health care workforce, as well as how to move from PPACA to a single-payer system, the race and wealth gap, and tax-policy possibilities that can improve public health.
To Register Online, Go to:   http://www.nmpha.org/

For more information, contact Tracy at tmcdaniel.nmpha@gmail.com

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Pick up a Trail Map!

Pick up a Trail Map at one of these public locations, or contact Joanne McEntire at jomcen@msn.com

You can also view the map online at: http://www.starkravenstudios.com/Achieve/

First Nations Community HealthSource
Southeast Public Health Office
Young Children’s Health Center
UNM Hospital SE Hts. Clinic
Albuquerque Women E.A.R.N
Cesar Chavez Community Center
La Mesa Community Center
Library, San Pedro branch
Downtown Main Library
Albuquerque Indian Center
Fair n Square Food Store
Talin
99 Grocer 

Thursday, November 11, 2010

International Community Trail – the map moves out

 By Joanne McEntire, LLC.
Since the International Festival in mid-September, I have visited many locations around the community to distribute the new Trail Maps.  A friendly woman working at an apartment complex on Zuni Road looked at the map, and said, “One of our residents was killed right out here, near Alvarado.”  He was just walking across the street.  She noted that drivers just ride through a light without stopping.

There’s too often a poignant reminder of why we are working to improve the streets on the Trail. 

ACHIEVE aims to support residents’ health and well-being by making walking safer for all.  That’s why the Trail Map includes pedestrian safety tips AND information for vehicle drivers in three languages.  Everyone who moves around the district should behave responsibly, and  it may take some changes in our own behavior when we walk, drive or ride a bike!  Pat yourself on the back if you are a model of safe mobility on the streets. 

Infrastructure improvements on the Trail will also support efforts to revitalize the area, and increase access to destinations and transit stops.  The sidewalks and driveway design at the UNM Clinic on Central and Texas illustrate excellent pedestrian accessibility – if you haven’t actually walked around the site, try it!  Envision a walkable Trail with us.




Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Our Projects


Richard Brandt and Juan Cardiel, Mural Artists "Phoenix Rising"
Creation Park in La Mesa Neighborhood 
ACHIEVE partnered with East Central Ministries to create an inviting public space for children and families: East Central Ministries converted a parking lot into a playground, and ACHIEVE contracted with Moises Gonzales of Chimal Designs, along with Richard Brandt and Jimmy Lusero, to paint a mural, and add sculpture elements (doubling as a water catchment system), plants, and benches to the area. An Art Dedication Ceremony was held in September, 2010 to celebrate the project completion. 



International District Community Trails Project 
In March, 2009, ACHIEVE received supplemental funding to implement the CDC Action Guide, “Places for Physical Activity – Facilitating Development of a Community Trail and Promoting Its Use to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth and Adults.” This initiative is designed to reduce barriers to physical activity by creating new or modifying existing places for physical activity, and to promote their use. ACHIEVE spent several months gathering community input and assessing the ‘walkability’ of the South San Pedro, Trumbull, and La Mesa neighborhoods. In March, 2010 a large workshop was held with the support of our Sponsor, City Councilor, Rey Garduno, to finalize the trail. A map of the proposed trail was created in GIS. Currently ACHIEVE is requesting funds for the development of the trail from government agencies.

NMDOT Pedestrian Safety Project
In October, 2009, ACHIEVE received a $6,050 grant to incorporate pedestrian safety information into a guide developed as part of the “International Community Trails Project”. Neighborhood-specific pedestrian safety information along with the community trails outline was developed for residents of the International District in Spanish, English, and Vietnamese. The MAP/Guide was completed in September 2010, and a kick-off event was held at the International District Festival. To date over 5,000 Map/Guides have been distributed in the International District.

Link to the International Community Trail Map/Guides: http://www.starkravenstudios.com/Achieve/

 


Safe Routes to School Collaboration
ACHIEVE has supported the APS Safe Routes to School project by providing professional planning consultation, participating in Walk and Roll to School Day and coordinating our programs to complement but not duplicate our efforts.








Ralph & Josh at Dragon Farm
Youth Food Action Project
In September 2010, ACHIEVE was awarded a USDA Community Food Project grant for the Youth Food Action Project proposal. The project aims to develop the capacity of young people in 3 target neighborhoods of Albuquerque to improve the food environment at their schools and in their communities through civic engagement with a focus on food equity and community health. The YFAP collaborates with multiple partners to enhance the work of Dragon Farm to include a youth social enterprise for selling the farm’ produce, to create mechanisms to connect youth from the 3 communities in a concrete way, and to provide a framework to allow them to take their current advocacy to the next level.

Link to Blog: http://youthfoodactionproject.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Abq ACHIEVE Mission

Our Mission is to create a healthy community that promotes physical activity and good nutrition through sustainable community-driven policy and environmental design. We are addressing the epidemic of chronic disease and obesity by changing the built environment to increase opportunities for physical activity. We are also supporting policies and projects that increase access to healthy foods for underserved and low-income populations. By supporting the community to accomplish their goals, and focusing on changes to policies and built environment, the benefit of our efforts will persist long after our funding has ended. We are not running a program whose benefits will end when the program ends but rather leveraging community cohesion and resources in several areas of Albuquerque including the International District, the South Valley and Santa Barbara/Martineztown -- to make lasting changes that will impact the lives of residents for years to come.

Who We Are:
David Broudy, NM Dept of Health, Coach
Erin Engelbrecht, ACHIEVE Coordinator & Coach
Doug Nakashima, CEO YMCA of Central New Mexico, Y Coach
Janet-Page Reeves, UNM Prevention Research Center, Community Coach

For information about ABQ ACHIEVE, contact:  
Erin Engelbrecht, Coordinator
(505) 350-8984
eebrecht@yahoo.com