Media Release

For: IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 10, 2006
Contact: Maria Wah-Fitta, 401-222-3998

HEALTH Co-Sponsors Grow Smart RI’s “Power of Place” Summit
Gifford Makes the Connection Between Healthy Environments and Healthy Lifestyles

Along with the Rhode Island Department of Administration’s Division of Statewide Planning, the Department of Environmental Management and other organizations, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) will sponsor Grow Smart RI’s “The Power of Place” Summit. This event will take place on Friday, May 12, 2006 from 9:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The summit will bring together hundreds of community stakeholders to help implement Rhode Island's newly revised and adopted state land use plan, which aims to protect Rhode Island’s distinctive urban-rural balance while safeguarding the environment and strengthening economic competitiveness.

National experts and Rhode Island leaders will speak about best practices for smart growth strategies for community design and water availability. With three presentations, HEALTH officials will illustrate how our environment has a direct impact on our health. David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of Health, will participate in the “Well-Designed Density for Vibrant Communities” session. “ Research confirms that the built environment affects an individual‘s ability to be physically active or make healthy food choices, and, therefore, may be a factor in the development of overweight, obesity, and other health problems. An unsafe or poorly planned environment encourages driving and discourages walking and biking. It is important for community planners to ensure that healthy food options are easily accessible to all Rhode Islanders,” said Dr. Gifford.

June A. Swallow, MS, PE, HEALTH’s Chief of the Office of Drinking Water Quality, will discuss the key elements to consider when planning for safe and affordable drinking water, and the risks and costs that must be part of the decision to extend public water lines, create new small public systems, or allow private well development.

In a session entitled “Creating and Financing Mixed-Use Walkable Communities,” Peter R. Simon, MD, MPH, Assistant Medical Director at HEALTH, will discuss how the smart and healthy community design policies that were implemented for the first time in the 1990’s, need to be reinvigorated. Many communities in Rhode Island struggle to keep in step with development plans as they make their way toward economic growth. In the near future, resources will be available to eliminate lead hazards in housing. This will constitute an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize many neighborhoods in RI.

For more information about the summit, visit Grow Smart RI’s website at http://www.growsmartri.com or call 401-273-5711.