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Are you looking for new ways to promote and support active living, healthy eating, or breastfeeding where you live, work or play? 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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Register Now for the
2012 Annual Partnership Meeting
Date: Thursday, November 15, 2012
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CST
Location: Country Inn and Suites, Lincoln, NE
Mark your calendars for the First Annual Partners N Health Partnership Meeting this November. Come celebrate a year of Nebraska's Physical Activity and Nutrition State Plan successes and help chart the course for Partners N Health's future!
Space is limited.
Click here to learn more and register. |
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Nebraska Photovoice Project |
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Photovoice Submissions Due October 31
 There is only one week left to submit your photos to the "We Are Partners N Health: Nebraska Photovoice Project." The Partners N Health Photovoice Project is focused on engaging partners to tell their communities' stories through a camera lens. Click here to learn more about the Partners N Health Photovoice Project or to submit your photos. |
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State's Wellness Program Receives Award
The Lincoln Journal Star, 9/24/12
Gov. Dave Heineman says Nebraska's wellness program has become the first state program to earn the 2012 C. Everett Koop National Health Award, which includes stringent requirements for demonstrating health improvements and cost savings. The resulting return on investment in the program is above the industry average: For every $1 spent on the program, $2.70 is returned in health care savings, Heineman said. Click here to read the original article from the Lincoln Journal Star or click here to learn more about the success of the wellness program.
Gov. Heineman Awards 26 Nebraska Businesses the Governor's Workplace Wellness Award
Gov. Dave Heineman recently awarded 26 Nebraska employers the Governor's Wellness Award for successful efforts in promoting workplace wellness. To be considered for the Wellness Award, employers must have wellness program support from company leaders, an assessment of employee needs, a wellness plan design, outcomes and benefits, and policies supporting healthy behaviors. Click here to see a list of the awarded businesses. Nebraska businesses can apply for the Governor's Wellness Award online at www.nebraska.gov/wellness. Awards are presented annually and are good for three years. The award program is a partnership of the Office of the Governor, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and WorkWell, Inc.
2011 State Obesity Map Now Available
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released an obesity map detailing adult obesity prevalence for all U.S. states based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2011. The map shows that in 2011, no state had a prevalence of adult obesity less than 20 percent, and 12 states had a prevalence of 30 percent or more.
Nebraska Initiative Featured in National Report
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Cancer Prevention Webinar Focuses on Prevention
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nutrition and Activity for Health Program and the Nebraska Cancer Coalition are pleased to offer for free the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' "Cancer Prevention - Research Based Solutions for Your Clients' Kitchens" at three sites across Nebraska on November 8. Click here to learn more and to register.
New CDC Worksite Health Scorecard Aids in Evaluating Health Promotion at Worksites
The newly released CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard (HSC) is a tool designed to help employers assess the extent to which they have implemented evidence-based health promotion interventions in their worksites across many topics, including tobacco control, nutrition, physical activity, weight management, stress management, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
New Report Examines How Childhood Obesity Epidemic Threatens National Security
Students in the United States consume almost 400 billion calories from junk food sold at school each year, according to a new report from Mission: Readiness, a national security organization of retired generals and admirals. The authors discuss alarming trends that affect national security, including rising rates of overweight and obesity among young adults.
Safe Kids Report Examines Pedestrian Injuries
Safe Kids recently released Walking Safely, A Report to the Nation, which examines a 15-year trend in child pedestrian injuries and deaths in the U.S. Interestingly, the most at-risk age group has shifted since 1995 when 5-9 year olds sustained the most injuries, to today when teens are at the greatest risk. The death rate among older teens is now twice that of younger children.
Million Hearts Encourages People with High Blood Pressure to Team Up and Pressure Down in Campaign
 | | High Blood Pressure Basics from Team Up. Pressure Down. |
Team Up. Pressure Down. is a nationwide program to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension through patient-pharmacist engagement. The Team Up. Pressure Down. program offers free tools and resources to help patients manage hypertension as well as tips on how to work with a pharmacist between visits to the doctor. The campaign is led by Million Hearts, a national initiative that was launched by the Department of Health and Human Services in September 2011 to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over five years. To learn more about what Nebraska is doing to reduce high blood pressure and prevent hypertension, become a member of the ABCS Learning and Action Network (LAN) by clicking here. Becoming a member will keep you informed of local initiatives and ensure that you receive direct information from the LAN . |
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Public Health Association of Nebraska (PHAN)
 The Public Health Association of Nebraska's mission is to protect and promote the personal, community and environmental health of all people in Nebraska. PHAN is active in identifying and resolving Nebraska's health problems and provides a forum for discussion and advocacy of the significant public health concerns facing our state. As an affiliate of the American Public Health Association, PHAN members have an influential voice on national public health issues as well.
PHAN exists to protect and promote personal, community and environmental health throughout a variety of public health networks. The organization exercises leadership in public health policy development and advocacy, provides a forum for the discussion of emerging public health issues, and enhances the professional growth of members and other health professionals across the state.
Click here to read the full PHAN Partner Highlight, or click here to learn more at PHAN's website. |
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Success Story of the Month |
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The Healthy Neighborhood Store Project
 The Healthy Neighborhood Store project aims to increase the availability and affordability of healthy food options within high need areas of Douglas County by enhancing the nutrition profile of neighborhood stores.
Read the full success story here. |
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Nebraska Food System Webinar Series Continues
The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, the Douglas County Health Department, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nutrition and Activity for Health Program, will host two upcoming food system webinars to conclude their Food Systems Assessment Distance Learning Webinar Series. To see the schedule, click here, and to register, click here. If you missed the Center's Dr. Courtney Pinard present her webinar, "What We Know: Data of Food Systems," click here to watch.
Central District Health Department Kicks of Campaign to Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption
The Central District Health Department held a kickoff event last week for the "Rethink Your Drink" campaign aimed at reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce the prevelance of overweight and obesity and related health issues. The campaign encourages organizations to include policies for food procurement and vending that limits access to sugary beverages. Click here to learn more about the campaign and click here to read about the kickoff event in the Grand Island Independent.
Lincoln Public Schools Cafeterias Reach 'Gold' Status
Seven schools within the Lincoln Public School District received the designation of "gold" status in the Healthier U.S. School Challenge (HUSSC). The Challenge is a federal program that recognizes schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and provide nutritious lunches, physical education, and wellness programs. The seven schools (Beattie, Belmont, Brownell, Hartley, Kooser, Norwood Park and Pershing) are the first in the state to reach the gold level status. Learn more about the HUSSC in Lincoln Public Schools here.
Celebrate October as National Farm to School Month
for food personnel in schools, producers, and distributors.
2011 Food Insecurity Report and Graphs Available
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) recently released a report and a collection of statistics and graphs representing data collected in 2011 regarding food insecurity in the United States. In 2011, 14.9 percent of households in the U.S. experienced food insecurity, which is defined as "being uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food."
New Publication Discusses More Water in Schools, More Healthy Food Retail in Underserved Areas
CDC's Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (NOPREN) released nine articles in a supplement of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM) that assess how policies can be part of the solution for improving children's diets and health including reducing childhood obesity. This set of papers uses diverse research methods to address questions related to feasibility and practical implementation of policies within schools.
Senators Call for Surgeon General to Look into Effects of Sugary Drinks on Obesity
Several U.S. senators have called upon U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin to look into the effect of sugary drinks on U.S. obesity rates and the public's health. Click here to read the press release and letter. |
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Nebraska, Lincoln Place Third in Bike Challenge
Nebraska and Lincoln placed third place in the state and community categories, respectively, in the National Bike Challenge that ended this August. The National Bike Challenge engaged more than 30,000 Americans in all 50 states to ride more and experience the health and financial benefits that come with riding a bike for transportation.
Online Built Environment Assessment Training Available
The Built Environment Assessment Training (BEAT) Institute has launched a free online course to learn how to assess the built environment for physical activity. The course is geared towards anyone with an interest in learning how to conduct audits of the built environment. Click here for more information or to register.
Complete Streets Coalition Announces New Site
The National Complete Streets Coalition recently announced a new online home for the Coalition. The new web home has great resources for Complete Streets advocates and practitioners. Learn about what makes a Complete Street, discover how local leaders are changing policy in their communities, find out about bringing the Coalition to your town or city, and see other ways you can get involved.
Webinar Recording on Joint Use Agreements Available
Click here to view a recording of a recent webinar that discussed traditional joint use agreements and how some communities are thinking "outside the box." Panelists include representatives from Tools for Implementing Current Trends, Leadership for Healthy Communities, Public Health Law Center, and ChangeLab Solutions.
Walkable 101: The Walkability Workbook
The Walkable and Livable Communities Institute has developed a free set of documents and slide presentations providing guidance on everything needed to organize community walkability workshops, conduct walkability audits, and prioritize changes for a better built environment. |
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Breast is Best Conference Set for November 7
Live Well Omaha Kids will hold its biennial breastfeeding conference, Breast is Best, on November 7 in Omaha. The conference will have two sessions, a day session scheduled for 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and an evening session scheduled for 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The conference's keynote speaker will be Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC, an experienced lactation consultant. Dr. Laura Wilwerding, MD, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM, a member of the Partners N Health Advisory Group, will also be speaking. Continuing education credits are available. Click here for more information and to register. Registration closes October 31.
Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition Quarterly Meeting Set for November 28
The next Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition (NE BFC) Quarterly Coalition Meeting will be held November 28 at the Bergan Mercy Medical Center in Omaha. Contact Kelli Hansen with the NE BFC to reserve your spot and get driving directions. The NE BFC has also set the next year of meetings which can be viewed here.
Breastfeeding Quality Improvement in Hospitals Learning Collaborative Tools Available
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recently announced the availability of the NYS Breastfeeding Quality Improvement in Hospitals (NYSBQIH) Learning Collaborative change package and data measurement plan, two tools which are instrumental in making sustainable improvements in maternity care practices.
National Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System Report Published
The 2011 National Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System (PNSS) report data tables and graphics have recently been published. The report represents the behaviors and health conditions of pregnant and postpartum women participating in the WIC Program and includes data from 27 states, four Indian Tribal Organizations, one U.S. territory and the District of Columbia. Key findings include data on gestational diabetes, low birth weight, and breastfeeding rates. This report, which presents key findings from the 2010 National PNSS Report, can be found here. |
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