Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: April 4, 2006
CONTACT: Eliza Lawson, Physical Activity Coordinator (401-793-8337)

MEDIA ADVISORY - PUBLIC INVITATION

Rhode Island Department of Health Hosts Innovative Workshop to Promote Physical Activity and Reduce Childhood Obesity in Celebration of National Public Health Week

Designing a Healthier RI for Our Children: Promoting Physical Activity through Community Design
Workshop
Wednesday April 5, 2006

WHO: The Rhode Island Department of Health has teamed up with the Rhode Island Public Health Association (RIPHA), Statewide Planning, the Department of Education, and the Department of Transportation to bring together town planners, school wellness councils, community organizations, parents, and residents for this action-oriented workshop.

WHAT: Designing a Healthier RI for Our Children: Promoting Physical Activity through Community Design: A workshop to raise awareness about how the built environment has contributed to physical inactivity and childhood obesity. Participants will learn about innovative solutions to this problem and funding sources available to improve community design and physical activity levels.

Speakers include:

• Dr. William Waters, Deputy Director of Health, RI Department of Health
• Eliza Lawson, Physical Activity Coordinator, RI Department of Health
• Tom Queenan, Enhancements Coordinator, Department of Transportation
• Ronnie Sirota, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Statewide Planning
• Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, Program Manager, RI Department of Health
• Ana Novais, Associate Director, RI Department of Health

Dr. Sharon Marable, RIPHA President, will present Department of Education with RIPHA's Healthy Communities, Healthy Kids award for its work incorporating Smart Growth principles into school construction guidelines.

WHEN: Wednesday April 5, 2006, 3:00pm–5:00pm

WHERE: Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI

WHY: Despite substantial health promotion efforts, obesity has continued to grow. This workshop represents a new approach to tackling the obesity problem. By focusing on environmental and policy changes, rather than traditional health education, this workshop will address the need for the health, planning, transportation, school, and community sectors to come together to promote physical activity and reduce childhood obesity by "re-engineering" the environment.