ReWA youth take on tobacco

Nineteen refugee and immigrant youth from seven countries took on a new challenge this summer when they came together to tackle tobacco in their communities. As part of the Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA) Youth Empowerment Project, they teamed with filmmaker Drew Emery to create a video documenting tobacco use, while also learning how to take action to make changes in their community.

What are you doing for Food Day?

Healthy things are happening in the City of Des Moines

"Programs and policies that enable active living are important investments in the City," said Councilmember Melissa Musser. "Active communities increase public health, benefit the local economy, deter crime and support the environment."

As part of their efforts, the City is working to implement bike and pedestrian improvements to make it easier for residents to live actively, including making it easier for kids to walk and bike to school. The City of Des Moines is partnering with the Highline School District to pilot a Safe Routes to School program at Midway Elementary School. Stop by their walking audit on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 3:20-4:20 to see what Safe Routes to School is all about.

In addition, City staff are working to integrate healthy eating and active living recommendations into the City's Comprehensive Plan. "The City aims to make our streets safe and complete for not only vehicles, but bikers and walkers of all ages as well," said Brandon Carver, Des Moines' Associate Transportation Engineer.

Des Moines Parks & Recreation campers learn about healthful eating

Des Moines is a member of the Healthy Highline Communities Coalition, which is working to address health inequities by building capacity for everyone to participate in physical activity and have access to nutritious foods. Partners in this effort include the cities of Burien, SeaTac, Normandy Park and the Highline School District. 

"As a community, we are working to build a healthier food and physical activity landscape," said Sue Anderson, Policy Analyst. "We're creating nutritional standards and sharing healthy eating practices through youth activities, community gardens and even through our own healthy meetings. Ultimately, we're trying to put good choices within reach of community members."

To learn more, please contact Sue Anderson at 206-719-1270 or sanderson@desmoineswa.gov.

CDC dignitary sees CPPW in action

Thanks to CPPW partners for making the day a huge success! 

The City of Des Moines hosts Dr. Ursula Bauer at their community garden.

CPPW partners

in action 

Change takes time and it won't be easy, but CPPW partners have already taken steps to build a healthier King County.

September 2011

Housing Resources Group implements smoke-free housing policies for all of its buildings.

August 2011

19 refugee and immigrant youth create a video documenting tobacco use in their community.

July 2011
 Four mental health and substance use agencies, representing 17 sites, implemented tobacco-free campus policies.  

June 2011

75,000+ SNAP and WIC recipients living in south King County can use their benefits at 6 south-end farmers markets.

128 registered PrideFest vendors pledge to implement some form of tobacco free policy.

Seattle Public Schools adopt new tobacco-free environment policy.

OneAmerica engages 100 Somali community members in Tukwila to assess barriers to physical activity. They overwhelmingly want to participate in more physical activity (83%) and need better access to parks and recreation facilities in their neighborhoods (43%).

May 2011

Gay City's Tobacco education campaign launches.

Nearly 300 people take the Soda Free Sundays pledge.

Harborview and UW Medical Center implement a campus-wide smoke-free policy on May 31.  

April 2011

The King County Board of Health passes Healthy Vending Guidelines to encourage organizations to provide healthier choices in vending machines.

Workshop on smoke-free housing for people with chronic mental illness gathers 50 participants.  
 

Childcare centers across King County turn off the TV for Screen Free Week.

Total number of affordable housing units planning to go smoke-free by March 2012 is over 9,000.

March 2011 

Seattle Gay News commits to not running tobacco advertising targeting the LGBT community as part of its partnership with Gay City and One Degree Events around Pridefest.

February 2011

A CPPW-funded media campaign increases calls to 1-800-QUIT-NOW, a free resource to help people quit tobacco, by 40 percent.

January 2011

The Healthy Foods Here Produce Manual makes it easier for small grocery and convenience stores to sell fresh produce. 

Highline Medical Center goes tobacco-free.

December 2010 

The King County Board

of Health passes comprehensive e-cigarette regulations to protect youth in King County.

October 2010

A new education campaign spreads the word about the health impacts of consuming sugar-loaded beverages.

September 2010

CPPW partners working on comprehensive planning gain a valuable tool when the King County Board of Health adopts new Planning for Healthy Communities Guidelines to inform planning decisions and promote health by creating environments that allow people to be physically active, eat healthy food, and live in safe and healthy places.

In the news 

Highline schools put recess before lunch, see positive results, KOMO, Sept. 28

With the help of strong partnerships, Wendy Weyer serves up fresh, new foods in Seattle Public Schools, School Food Focus, Sept. 16

Promoting healthy school routes, Renton Reporter, Aug. 18