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Division
of Public Health Report Lists Community Initiatives to Improve Residents'
Health
The Georgia
Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, in association
with the American Heart Association, has published some examples of community
programs and resources for promoting physical activity in Georgia's communities.
The publication,
How Active are Georgians? Georgia Physical Activity Report, also
includes comprehensive information and data on how active residents are
in Georgia, the burdens of inactivity and benefits of activity, and new
strategies for promoting physical activity.
According
to the report, "The list comprises programs and projects known to
the Division of Public Health. It is not the result of a systematic search
and many excellent programs assuredly are missing. … The list provides
examples; it is not intended to be an endorsement by the Division of Public
Health. The programs listed have not been formally evaluated."
Below is
an excerpt from the report listing several community programs specifically
targeting children and families. The excerpt printed here is not the entire
listing. For the complete listing or the entire report, contact the Division
of Public Health at (404) 657-2700 or gdphinfo@dhr.state.ga.us.
COMMUNITY
| PROGRAM
NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION |
TARGET
GROUP |
PROGRAM
GOAL |
PROGRAM
ACTIVITIES/ DESCRIPTION |
Cardiovascular
Disease Prevention Initiative
Pam Wilson
CVD-PI Program Manager
Division of Public Health
Georgia Department of Human Resources
2 Peachtree Street, 16th Floor
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
(404) 657-6629
pswilson@dhr.state.ga.us |
All
Georgians, with particular emphasis given to racial and ethnic minorities
whose rate of cardiovascular disease is greater than that of white
Americans |
Increase
opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating through policy
and environmental changes |
Partnerships
formed with public and private organizations; create a statewide strategic
plan; assess infrastructure for supporting change; train district
public health staff and partners. |
Cardiovascular
Disease Prevention Project
(Unity Park)
Anne Wheeler
Nutritionist
Southeast Health Unit Annex
1115 Church St.
Waycross, Ga. 31501
(912) 287-6521
aswheeler@gdph.state.ga.us |
Residents
in neighborhood surrounding Unity Park, Coffee County, Ga. |
Increase
use of the park by families for walking, basketball, biking and playing |
Park
improvement includes repairing sidewalks, joining disconnected sidewalks,
adding mile-marker signs to walking trails, repairing playground equipment,
and adding crosswalks. |
Fit
Kids
Alice smith
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
1584 Tullie Circle N.E.
Atlanta, Ga. 30329
(404) 260-2348
alice.smith@choa.org |
Overweight
youth, ages 6 - 12, and families |
Improve
diet, increase physical activity, and enhance self-esteem |
Health
education and exercise program for children and parents. Eight-week
class sessions held at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and occasionally
at neighborhood health center facilities, Parks and Recreation centers
or YMCAs. |
Kids
on the Move
Alice Smith
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
1699 Tullie Circle
Atlanta, Ga. 30329
(404) 417-5672
alice.smith@choa.org |
Youth,
ages 8 - 12, in metro Atlanta |
Reduce
risk factors for heart disease and stroke |
Eight-week
health education and fitness program offered after school at elementary
schools and recreation centers |
Kingdom
Kids Fitness
Kenneth Law
6961 Wind Run Way
Stone Mountain, Ga. 30087
(770) 465-1703
trainupachild226@aol.com |
Youth
of all ages, Atlanta suburb |
Improve
physical health and self-esteem |
Activities
include playing games and sports, and teaching health education and
Christian principles. |
Walking
Trail, Taylor County
Randy Frazier
Taylor County Department of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 278
Butler, Ga. 31006
(478) 862-9047
[Note: Trails such as this exist in many Georgia counties. Local
information on trails such as these may be obtained from local Departments
of Parks and Recreation.] |
Residents
of Butler and Taylor counties |
Provide
a safe setting for community members to be physically active |
The
walking trail/track was built with funds from a local 1% sales tax
targeted toward various community projects. The trail is lighted so
walkers can use it at night. A children's play area is located in
the middle of the track. |
Source:
How Active are Georgians? Physical Activity Report, Georgia, 2001. Georgia
Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, and the American
Heart Association, Southeast Affiliate, September 2001. Publication Number:
DPH01.81HW.
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