Tuesday, June 26, 2012
These are uncertain times for public health. Shrinking budgets, fewer resources, declining workforce numbers, growing disease numbers, changing health care systems and a historic health reform law with an unsure future. Public health has a lot on its plate. The American Public Health Association wants to make sure you have all the tools you need to continue making a difference well into the future.
At APHA's upcoming Midyear Meeting in Charlotte, N.C., attendees will hear from some of the nation's top public health leaders and advocates. The three-day meeting, which runs from June 26-28 and has a theme of "The New Public Health - Rewiring for the Future," will equip attendees with the tools to keep up with and anticipate changes necessary to sustaining an effective, efficient and relevant public health system. View the Midyear Meeting Schedule.
Complete your registration by 11:59 PST this Thursday, April 19 to save up to $100. After April 19, advance registration prices are in effect. Registration discounts are available for APHA members and members of our partner organizations. Register here.
Today, just 13% of children ages 5 to 14 walk and bicycle to and from school nationwide-a dramatic drop from 1969 when nearly 50% of children walked to school. As a result, school districts and families spend billions on transportation and the volume of vehicles around schools creates traffic congestion, air pollution and wear and tear. During the morning commute, driving to school represents 5-7% of miles driven and 10-14% of traffic on the road.
The Safe Routes to School movement is a broad based network of public agencies, community based organizations, pedestrian and bicycle advocates, parents, teachers, principals, public health leaders and other stakeholders- all working to support and encourage walkable and bikeable communities and address the alarming increase of childhood obesity. Funding for these programs comes from the federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program and the California Safe Routes to School program (SR2S) which can be used for infrastructure and educational programs that make it safer for children to walk and bicycle to and from school. Learn how to leverage SR2S funding to improved bicycle and pedestrian connections in their communities.
For more information, click here.
