Youth Mentorship, Obesity Prevention Lead Topics at Children, Health and Human Service Committee Meeting
By Abigail Lundy
July 2, 2012
The Standing Committee on Children, Health and Human Services convened June 14 to consider 15 resolutions and to hear from several speakers on issues such as youth mentorship and obesity prevention.
Youth Mentorship, Obesity Prevention
Leaders in the field of mentorship and childhood obesity met with the Conference of Mayors Standing Committee on Children, Health, and Human Services in Orlando to talk about recent programs and research and how mayors can engage with these important issues. Committee Chair Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt introduced Representative Chaka Fattah (PA), former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, and Dr. Pattie Tucker from the CDC to share their work with the audience. Fattah with mayors about a new partnership he forged between the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and First Robotics to establish a nationwide afterschool program that arms today's youth with the problem solving, creative thinking, and technology skills they need to innovate for our future.
Purcell highlighted the key findings of an Institute of Medicine report he helped research on the state and impact of childhood obesity. Specifically, he called upon mayors to enhance their city's built environment in ways that promote physical activity; ensure that healthy food and beverage options are available on government grounds; and use financial and zoning strategies to improve local food environments. Tucker discussed resources available to cities to support cities in addressing obesity. The CDC launched numerous programs and funding opportunities to support the local governments and non-profits. The focus of these programs ranges from launching farmers markets in low-income neighborhoods to improving school nutrition to creating smoke-free establishments.
Adopted Resolutions
- Mayors Support for Food Day
- Older Americans Act Reauthorization
- Urging the Passage of a Farm Bill that Supports Healthy, Local, and Regional Food Systems
- In Support of President Obama's 2012 Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan
- Regarding Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Funding of TANF Supplemental Grants
- Support Women's Reproductive Rights
- In Support of Inspiring Youth That Have Been Affected by Drugs and Alcohol
- Violence Prevention
- In Support of the Prevention and Public Health Fund
- Support Cancer Prevention Treatment
- Support for the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative and Efforts to Expand the Nation's Stock of Affordable, Green, Healthy, and Sustainable Housing
- Reclassification of Medical Cannabis to Schedule II of the CSA
- A Resolution in Support of School Bus Stop Arm Enforcement Cameras
- Supporting the CDC Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
- Endorsing Efforts to Replicate in Other Cities Initiatives Modeled After the Let's Get Healthy California Task Force, which will develop a 10-year plan for improving the health of Californians through a sustained effort to promote prevention and wellness strategies and reduce the burden of chronic disease that is crippling local and state healthcare systems.
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