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November 15, 2012
Advocacy initiative will focus on expansion of proven public policies The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) today announced an ambitious collaboration to reverse the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Building upon AHA’s extensive advocacy capacity and experience, RWJF will provide the Association with $8 million in initial funding to create and manage an advocacy initiative focused on changing local, state, and federal policies to help children and adolescents eat healthier foods and be more active. More than 23.5 million children and adolescents in the United States—nearly one in three young people—are overweight or obese. Obesity puts children at risk for a number of serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. Some research indicates that, because of obesity, the current generation of young people could be the first in the nation’s history to […]
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November 9, 2012
Originally publishd in NJBIZ After several delays in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, public- and private-sector groups were finally able to enjoy the fruits of their labor today with the opening of a new full-service fresh food supermarket in New Brunswick, which represents the urban center’s first successful grocery store development in more than two decades. The new 50,000-square-foot Fresh Grocer is part of Wellness Plaza, a mixed-use redevelopment project by New Brunswick Development Corp. that includes a 60,000-square-foot fitness center, a 1,275-space parking garage and, eventually, an elevated walkway connected to the train station. According to Devco President Christopher J. Paladino, Wellness Plaza is the second phase of a three-part plan to redevelop New Brunswick into a transit village. In February, Devco completed the plan’s first phase — a $150 million project to open 650,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial and residential space — and the development firm expects […]
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November 5, 2012
Originally published in The Times of Trenton on nj.com The drumbeat of dire statistics associated with childhood obesity continues to sound from health professionals. As the steady warnings continue, there can be no doubt that we’re hearing them. Heeding them, however, is another story. Since the early ‘80s, the problem has more than tripled. Because overweight children tend to become obese adults and the health issues associated with childhood obesity can be chronic, it’s an issue with long-range as well as immediate consequences. In New Jersey, the most at-risk children may be in Trenton. According to a 2010 New Jersey Childhood Obesity Study, Trenton children were more likely to be overweight or obese compared with their counterparts around the country. The rates are highest among Hispanic children. Most alarmingly, the largest differences between Trenton public schoolchildren and national estimates were among the youngest children — 49 percent in Trenton were […]
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October 31, 2012
Teaching children about street safety is one aspect of the work NJPHK-Trenton is doing as part of a larger effort to educate the community about the benefits of Complete Streets policies. Complete Streets policies aim to make streets safe for all users—pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and people who are using public transit. Last October during National Walk to School Month Marissa Davis, NJPHK-Trenton project manager, and her colleague Shannon O’Connor joined with staff from Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association (GMTMA) to educate students at Monument Elementary School about safety measures on the sidewalks and streets of their neighborhoods. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students gathered around Doug Markgraf, Regional Safe Routes to School Coordinator at GMTMA, who engaged them in an interactive dialogue about pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Students took a guided walk around the school to practice what they learned, identify safety hazards and discuss how to deal with them. Children also […]
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October 26, 2012
They came from all across the state of New Jersey and represented a cross section of school wellness team members, school nurses, school boards, faith-based organizations, community organizations, local legislators and policy makers. At more than 200 strong they had a single goal—to help communities and schools implement policies that promote physical activity for kids. Held at the Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton Center for Health Wellness on Thursday, October 25th, the Communities and Schools in Motion conference engaged participates in a discussion around: The impact of physical activity on disease prevention and health promotion The available opportunities for physical activity in their communities and schools Partners and resources available to improve the health of the community Strategies for municipalities and schools partnering to create or enhance health policies National public health, planning and transportation consultant, Mark Fenton delivered the keynote address, “Creating More Livable, Walkable Communities.” Fenton is known for […]
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October 23, 2012
Originally published in The Red Bank Green An enthusiastic throng of participants hit the pavement in Red Bank for the Community Kick Start Walkon Saturday. More than 50 adults and children piled into Marine Park, grabbed t-shirts that read “Today, Tomorrow, Together,” and marched a one-mile loop from Marine Park to Riverside Gardens and back. The event, which officials said is likely to become an annual affair, marks the first public endeavor of the Mayor’s Wellness Committee, a new committee to promote healthy living among Red Bank. The committee’s previous activity, a health fair for borough employees, with a weight loss competition similar to the setup of TV’s The Biggest Loser, has already yielded big gains – or losses, that is. Councilman Art Murphy leads the competition, having dropped 34 pounds so far. Read full story SHARE:
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October 22, 2012
Great things are happening at Northgate Park thanks to the leadership of NJPHK-Camden and Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, the vision of Friends of Northgate Park, the commitment of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties and the United Way of Camden County, and funding provided by Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey. All of these organizations have come together to reclaim and rebuild this valuable community resource in North Camden. “The work is happening in two phases,” explained Valeria Galarza, NJPHK-Camden project manager. “Phase one was building of the playground. Phase two will focus on improving the tennis and basketball courts as well as maintenance and safety, including tree trimming, better lighting, security cameras and fencing.” Phase one got underway in October 2012 when 430 volunteers came to Northgate Park to build a KaBOOM! playground of brightly colored molded plastic swings and slides. KaBOOM! is a national not-for-profit […]
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October 21, 2012
Originally published in CourierPostOnline Under a sunny autumn sky Saturday, more than 300 volunteers descended on Northgate Park to build a playground for local kids and their families. Planning for the playground began at a Design Day held in August when city children and community leaders met with organizers from KaBOOM!, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership and the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. A dream playground was envisioned, and the children’s drawings were then used to create the final design. “This new playground is a true reflection of what lies in the hearts and minds of the children of our great city,” said Camden Mayor Dana Redd. “I am excited to work with all of the inspirational partners that have helped make fun and safe play a reality for North Camden.” Read full story… SHARE:
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October 20, 2012
Originally published in examiner.com Northgate Park was transformed into a haven for play Saturday, as volunteers from Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership and the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties came together with KaBOOM! to build a new playground in just one day. Over the years, the park on Elm Street in North Camden had become outdated, rundown and unsafe for families. More than 200 volunteers, most employees from Horizon participating in their “Day of Caring” event, improved the park by building and installing brightly-colored equipment, adding new picnic tables with game boards painted on top and planting new flowers. Read full story View Slideshow SHARE:
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October 20, 2012
Originally reported by Amy Buckman, Channel 6 Action News There’s a new place to play in Camden. and this one comes courtesy of some generous souls. SHARE:
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