The Miami-Dade County Health Department will hold the Communities Putting Prevention to Work kick-off event Friday, Sept. 17 to discuss ways for fighting against chronic disease. 

The initiative is being funded by a $14.7 million grant the department said it received on March 19 to launch a disease prevention program.
The money came from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Communities Putting Prevention to Work program to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition and decrease smoking.

Those were described as four critical areas for combating chronic diseases and promoting health.

Participants at the Sept. 17 session will have an opportunity to interact with members of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work team, decision-makers and the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade’s executive board.

It will take place from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the Sofitel Miami hotel, 5800 Blue Lagoon Drive in West Miami-Dade.

The federal government allocated $372.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to 44 communities, including cities, towns, and tribes to implement policy, systems and environmental change strategies over the next two years as one of several initiatives of Communities Putting Prevention to Work. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our community,” said Lillian Rivera, a registered nurse who is administrator of the Miami-Dade County Health Department. 

“With this funding, our community will be able to expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables through community gardens and farms to institutions, promote healthy options in vending machines, promote breastfeeding, invest in activities that promote physical activity, incorporate standards in community planning designs that encourage physical activity and enhance the safe routes to school and park programs.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Miami-Dade County Health Department’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work kick-off event

WHEN: 8-11:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 17

WHERE: Sofitel Miami hotel, 5800 Blue Lagoon Drive in West Miami-Dade

More Information: To learn more about the department’s prevention and wellness projects, log on to www.dadehealth.org.

To learn more about Communities Putting Prevention to Work, log on to www.hhs.gov/recovery and www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/recovery.

For information, please contact Harvey Lockhart at 954-642-8016 or visit www.livinghopehaiti.com, where donations may also be made. The festival website is kahlaloofestivalmiami.com.