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By following a few simple steps, you can create your own customized action plan built on the same goals, strategies and activities that form the foundation for the Nebraska Physical Activity and Nutrition State Plan.
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Join Us for the Last Teleconference in the
2012 Partners N Health Series
"Breastfeeding Support in Nebraska Worksites: It's the Law"
with guest speakers
Ann Seacrest, BSN, IBCLC, RLC - Executive Director, MilkWorks
Adam Prochaska - Harding and Schultz, P.C., L.L.O
Andrea Wenke - Nebraska DHHS, Office of Women's and Men's Health
To register for the teleconference, email Betsey Heidrick at betsey.heidrick@nebraska.gov by Monday, June 18th. |
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Be Our Voice Training Available for Healthcare Professionals
Teach a Kid to Fish, the Nebraska Medical Association, and partners across Nebraska are working to bring healthcare professionals together to participate in Nebraska's Be Our Voice campaign, a project of the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality (NICHQ). Teach a Kid to Fish is participating as a Phase 2 partner of the campaign, which consists of an interactive online advocacy training program resourcing healthcare professionals with information about how they can become advocates for childhood obesity policy change. Healthcare professionals who complete the training will receive 3 hours of CME credit and after completing the evaluation survey post training and are automatically entered into a drawing for a $500 travel gift card. Questions about Nebraska's Be Our Voice campaign may be directed to Karla Lester, M.D. at 402-441-8144 or email teachakid2fish@gmail.com.
Nebraskans Lose Over 14 Tons in Challenge
Participants in the recently completed Live Healthy Nebraska 100-Day Challenge lost over 14 tons and reported more than 20 million activity minutes. More than 8,000 Nebraskans participated in the program, which assists teams of 2-10 people in adopting healthier nutrition and physical activity habits. Participants logged their progress from Jan. 23 to May 1. According to results from the Nebraska Sports Council, 34% of participants lost five or more pounds, 59% averaged more than 150 minutes of activity per week, and 80% of participants joined the Challenge through their workplace.
Obesity Resources Added to Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T.
Highlighting coordinated efforts to address obesity and other chronic diseases, the Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. website has been updated with links to obesity resources. Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. is a web portal that provides access to data and resources that can help planners, program staff, and researchers to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based programs. The new obesity resources include data, an interactive discussion community, research synthesis, program and evaluation information, and planning resources.
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Weight of the Nation Screening Kits Available
To promote HBO's "Weight of the Nation" documentary, a four-part series of hour-long films about the obesity crisis in the United States, the Nutrition and Activity for Health Program within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is making available screening kits. Each screening kit contains the four films, bonus short films, and discussion guides in English and Spanish. If you would like to host a "Weight of the Nation" screening event in your organization or community, please contact Betsey Heidrick, State Plan Communications Coordinator, at (402) 471-6548 or at betsey.heidrick@nebraska.gov.
New Worksite Wellness Research Compendium Available
A new worksite wellness publication, The Research Compendium: The NIOSH Total Worker HealthTM Program: Seminal Research Papers 2012 is now available online. The document is a compilation of three commissioned papers from a 2004 conference, Steps to a Healthier Workforce Symposium. The papers established the rationale for expanding research on the benefits of integrated programs to improve the health of workers and workplaces and are considered fundamental writings on the science and practice of integrating health protection and health promotion.
CDC Healthy Hospital Choices Document Available Online
A recent publication from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supporting health-promoting environments in hospitals is now available online. Healthy Hospital Choices: Promoting Healthy Hospital Food, Physical Activity, Breastfeeding and Lactation Support and Tobacco-free Choices: Recommendations and Approaches from an Expert Panel includes recommendation for food and beverage environments in hospitals.
Healthy Worksite Program Webinar June 18
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will offer a National Healthy Worksite Program Implementation Training Webinar from 12:00-1:30 p.m. CST on Monday, June 18. Making the Case for Worksite Health, Leadership, and Culture will feature William Baun, President of the National Wellness Institute. Click here to register.
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Healthy Hastings
In 2008, a group of community-based organizations formed a coalition to lead efforts to affect obesity in Hastings, Nebraska. The organizations that formed the coalition are the City of Hastings Parks and Recreation Department, YMCA, YWCA, Mary Lanning HealthCare, South Heartland District Health Department and Energy Pioneer Solutions.
Healthy Hastings is a collaboration of agencies whose purpose is to improve the health of the community through effective policy change, program enhancement, and advocacy for healthy lifestyles. The vision of Healthy Hasting is to create a community where making the healthy choice is the easy choice. The coalition works toward that vision through community-level policy, systems and environment support so that every day, every citizen enjoys optimum health as a consequence of making positive dietary choices, engaging in physical activity, and refraining from unhealthy substances.
To cultivate this vision, Healthy Hastings' goals are to increase the total miles of connected physical infrastructure designated for non-motorized transportation and to increase opportunities for consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The coalition's current work to achieve its goals and State Plan objectives is two-fold.
- Increase fruit and vegetable consumption by initiating a community garden that is available to any member of the community. Healthy Hastings also plans to increase the availability of produce through a food share program where anyone with excess produce can drop it off and anyone with a need can pick up produce. (Healthy Eating Strategy #1)
- Increase opportunities for physical activity by adoption of a Complete Streets policy. Healthy Hastings is working with the City of Hastings to adopt the Complete Streets concept. Complete Streets takes into consideration non-motor and pedestrian traffic when developing new streets or resurfacing existing ones to provide safe accessible areas for walking, biking etc. (Active Living Strategy #3)
You can learn more about Healthy Hastings by visiting their website. |
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Success Story of the Month |
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MilkWorks Helps Mothers Continue to Breastfeed When They Return to Work or School
MilkWorks, a community breastfeeding center based in Lincoln, hosts a free "return to work or school" event twice a year to show its appreciation for moms who choose to continue to breastfeed when they return to the workplace or to school. The Saturday morning event brings 30-35 moms together to share and support each other. The event features a panel discussion with volunteer moms who have overcome return to work challenges and a presentation by a MilkWorks lactation consultant. Moms also receive door prizes and a healthy breakfast.
Read the full success story here. This success story advances State Plan Breastfeeding Strategy 2A: "Establish, expand, and promote community-level based networks of peer and professional support people and resources." |
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Healthy Food in Health Care Webinars Begin in July
Health Care Without Harm is launching a Healthy Food in Health Care (HFHC) webinar series to support hospitals in building healthy and sustainable food services. The first webinar in the series will be held Thursday, July 12 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. CST and will focus on providing healthy beverages. Webinar participants will learn about increasing healthy beverages in their environments, and learn about how they can track their progress through the new Healthier Hospitals Initiative. Registration will open the week of June 11 on the Health Care Without Harm website, where more details will be available.
Use of Water and 100% Juice Toolkit Now Available
The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education's Use of Water and 100% Juice Toolkit is now available. Tailored to specific audiences (licensing agencies, child care providers, and legislators), each action sheet within the toolkit provides tips, facts, and suggestions to promote the use of water and 100% juice for children.
"Tapped" Documentary Gives Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Bottled Water Industry
Interested in water as a healthy beverage option for public health initiatives? The film "Tapped" is a documentary about water, specifically bottled water. The 2009 film delves into the bottled water industry and highlights the issues associated with this liquid commodity.
 | | Tapped Trailer |
Added Sugar and Sugary Drink Consumption Found to Increase Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Adolescents and Men
Recent research links added sugar intake and cardiovascular disease risk in adolescents and men. Researchers in both studies found that consumption of added sugars and sugary drinks was associated with multiple measures known to increase cardiovascular disease risk.
MyPlate Celebrates First Anniversary
June 2012 officially marks the first anniversary of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) MyPlate food icon. In June 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled MyPlate, the federal government's primary food group symbol, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthy food choices consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For more information on MyPlate resources and to join the MyPlate First Year Birthday Celebration, go to www.choosemyplate.gov/celebrate.html.
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Hastings Workshop Will Link Physical Activity to Academic Success
The Nebraska Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NAHPERD), in partnership with GeoMotion, will offer a "What Makes Us Move Makes Us Think" workshop on Saturday, August 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CST. The workshop will be held on the Hastings College Campus in Hastings and is free to NAHPERD members with a cost of only $15 for non-NAHPERD members. The workshop will present healthy, active, and academic-focused activities and ideas for schools, homes, and worksites. Please complete the registration form and return it to Virgie Widdowson by July 29. Contact Stan Erickson at sterick1@gmail.com or 402-489-5861 or Becky Hamik at bhamik@hastings.edu or 402-469-7838 with questions.
2012 Physical Activity and Public Health Courses Scheduled for September 11-19 in Park City, Utah
The Physical Activity and Public Health Course (PAPH) is entering its 18th year of successful training for researchers and public health practitioners and will hold this year's courses September 11-19 in Park City, Utah. For more information and to apply, visit the PAPH website or contact Janna Borden at (803) 576-6050 or jsborden@mailbox.sc.edu.
APHA to Host Health and Equity in Transportation Webinar Series
The American Public Health Association (APHA) will host a free webinar series on critical health and equity issues within the transportation sector. The three, 60-minute APHA webinars will explore the ties between public health and increased use of public transportation, reduced injuries, increased access to goods and services, and other topics within transportation, such as updates on the federal surface transportation authorization. The first webinar in the series, "What Public Transit Means for Public Health," will be held Wednesday, June 13, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CST. For information on the entire webinar series, click here.
Applications for 2012 Safe Routes to School Award Due June 28
Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award. The application deadline is 11:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, June 28. The Safe Routes to School Award will recognize a school or community that has improved the safety or increased the number of elementary and/or middle school students who walk and bicycle to school. Particular consideration will be given to applicants who have made active transportation to/from school an integral part of the school's culture over time. Click here to learn more and download the application.
Walk Friendly Communities Application Process Open
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) has announced the opening of the fourth round of the Walk Friendly Communities application process. Communities are able to submit applications to the program here. Applications are due June 15. Currently, 24 communities nationwide have earned Walk Friendly status. The next round of communities designated as Walk Friendly will be named in August. Click here for a list of current Walk Friendly Communities. For more information, visit www.walkfriendly.org, or direct your questions to info@walkfriendly.org.
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Thousands of Nebraska Businesses Receive Information on the Fair Labor Standards Act in Support of Nursing Mothers
In March 2010, Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was amended to require employers to provide accommodations in support of nursing mothers. In order to help businesses meet these requirements, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Labor, mailed information to thousands of businesses across Nebraska. The mailing included the following: Employee Rights - Breastfeeding Support is the Law; Quick Assessment and Guidance for Businesses; Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksites, Examples, and Program Suggestions; and a Resource Request Form. All of these resources can be found on a new Nebraska Department of Labor webpage, Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers.
Fair Labor Standards Act Event Video Now Online
WorkWell, Southeast Nebraska's worksite wellness council, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, and the Women's Health Advisory Council sponsored an event on March 21 to help employers better understand the FLSA changes and how to support breastfeeding employees. Video coverage of the event was provided by Channel 10 Health in Lincoln and can be accessed by clicking on the image below.
 | | Fair Labor Standards Act & Breastfeeding Mothers |
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