Tobacco Marketing to Youth in the Bronx

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nearly 4,000 youth under age 18 try their first cigarette each day in the United States and an additional 1,000 become daily smokers. In the Bronx, 3,000 public high school students are current smokers (NYC Department of Health, 2009) and a third of them are likely to die prematurely from the effects of cigarette smoking, based on statewide data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tobacco companies market heavily to youth with the goal of finding and securing “replacement smokers.” The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids notes that tobacco industry internal documents identify children as young as 11 years old as a “key market.” A newly published FDA report indicates that 80% of black and 50% of Hispanic teens smoke menthol cigarettes such as Newport. This is particularly relevant to the Bronx, which is 91% black and Hispanic, according to the 2010 census. According to a report published this year by the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC), menthol cigarettes reinforce smoking behavior through their cooling “throat grab”, which reduces the aversion to nicotine among new smokers, thus promoting continued use leading to addiction. One manufacturer of a menthol-containing brand that is extremely popular among black and Hispanic teens, notes: “[T]he base of our business is the high school student.”

Although cigarette companies claim that they have discontinued intentional marketing to youth through targeted ads and promotional items, they have found another powerful venue for the promotion and sale of their products—the local neighborhood store. The corner store is a favored stop off point for youth on their way to and from school. A recent Bronx community mapping survey showed that 85% of these establishments are located within a five block radius of a school. Cigarette and spit-tobacco companies continue to advertise heavily at these stores with large ads and signs clearly visible from the outside.

On June 22, 2010, the FDA issued a new ruling designed to limit the effect of tobacco advertising on youth.

Among other things, the rule:

• Prohibits the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to people younger than 18,
• Prohibits the sale of cigarette packages with less than 20 cigarettes,
• Prohibits distribution of free samples of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco, and
• Prohibits gifts or other items in exchange for buying cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products.

To ensure compliance, the FDA has promised to conduct unannounced inspections of local retail establishments and to impose “enforcement action,” which could include warning letters, civil money penalties, and orders prohibiting the future sale of tobacco products.

While these provisions are important, they do not address the key issue of tobacco signage in local neighborhood stores. In the Bronx, this is a major issue, due to their proximity to schools, and the tendency of many to violate the FDA ruling by selling small quantities of cigarettes and other tobacco products to youth, and failure to verify their age at the time of sale.

What can communities do? Bronx Health REACH (BHR) has spent the last few months as a community contractor with the Bronx Smoke-Free partnership under a grant funded by the New York City Department of Health. We have met with local members of the Assembly, Senate and City Council to encourage their continued advocacy and support of smoking prevention and cessation efforts in the Bronx, which has one of the city’s highest overall smoking rates and highest pediatric asthma hospitalization rate. In addition, we have met with Community Boards 3 and 5, representatives from our key target schools in Districts 7 and 9, and members of our Faith-Based Outreach Coalition to inform and sensitize them to the issue of youth-focused tobacco marketing in the local retail market.

Bronx Health REACH is currently working with eight schools under the New York State Department of Health-funded HEA+LTHY Schools NY program to bolster school wellness policies focusing on nutrition, physical fitness and tobacco prevention. It has also encouraged its faith-based coalition to actively engage their youth groups in tobacco prevention advocacy, since youth are the target of tobacco marketing efforts. Several youth groups in member churches have already been sensitized to the importance of healthy eating through participation in the God’s Health Squad program, a multi-unit participatory curriculum that covers key concepts related to nutrition, fitness, good health and positive body image. REACH staff and members of the Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership will work with these same youth groups in targeting local retailers to encourage them to remove tobacco signage outside their stores and reduce tobacco product visibility inside.

Finally, Bronx Health REACH invites all Bronx youth to join the Bronx Smoke-Free Partnership on World No Tobacco Day, Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Union Square Park in Manhattan at 3 pm for a rally and press conference. There, they can tell Big Tobacco that they've had enough of the aggressive marketing designed to get them hooked on cigarettes.

Bronx Health REACH e-blast: April 18, 2011

National Health Equity Coalition and REACH Funding

The National Health Equity Coalition is asking as many people as possible to sign and return a postcard to show support for reinstating funding for REACH that was cut out of President Obama’s 2012 budget.  The postcard is available in English and Spanish on the website: http://www.nationalhealthequitycoalition.org/

Farm Shares / CSAs

Farm-shares, or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, give communities direct access to high quality, fresh produce grown by local farmers.  There are several farm share programs serving the South Bronx and Harlem communities:

·         The NYC Coalition Against Hunger, one of the Bronx Health REACH Legacy Grantees, is starting a Bronx CSA farm share distribution site at Grand Concourse Seventh Day Adventist Temple (1275 Grand Concourse at the corner of 169th) in the Bronx. The pick-up will be on Tuesdays from 5:00pm-7:30pm. The produce, which comes from Fresh Radish Farms in Goshen, NY, is delivered every Tuesday for 22 weeks from June to November.  Shares are available for all income levels, and food stamps (EBT) are accepted. Flyers in English and Spanish are available here. The deadline to purchase shares is May 15.  For more information and to sign up, email bronxcsanyc@gmail.com, visit http://www.bronxcsa.wordpress.com/, or call 212-825-0028 x205.

·         The South Bronx CSA provides affordable access to healthy food while empowering immigrant communities.  The distribution site is located at Brook Park, a community garden on East 141 Street and Brook Avenue. The pick-up time will be every Wednesday from 3pm to 8pm from June to October. The fresh, organic produce comes from Sergio Nolasco Farms in Sussex County, NJ. Sliding scale prices and EBT (food stamps) welcome. Register today! For more information, visit www.southbronxcsa.org , email southbronxcsa@friendsofbrookpark.org, or call 347-331-0096.

·         Corbin Hill Road Farm has multiple distribution sites throughout the South Bronx and Upper Manhattan.  The program offers membership for families as well as wholesale distribution for organizations. The model allows members to pay week to week instead of the traditional model of paying at the beginning of the season. Food stamps (EBT) are accepted.  More information is available on the website (www.corbinhillfarm.com) in both English and Spanish. 

Bronx Health REACH Nutrition & Fitness Committee Meeting – April 21, 2011

At our last Nutrition & Fitness Committee meeting, we formed three policy working groups—one each for tobacco, nutrition and physical activity. At our next meeting on April 21, we will discuss the findings from our School Health Index assessments, present the results of a Bronx obesity prevention synergy and strategy meeting organized by the Strategic Alliance for Health, and discuss our forward-looking policy strategy. There will also be a presentation about WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s food justice initiative.

Date: Thursday, April 21

Time: 10 am to 12 noon

Location: Morrisania Diagnostic and Treatment Center, 1225 Gerard Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452, in the Day Room on the Second Floor.

SAfH Excellence in School Wellness Award – Due May 6, 2011

Elementary schools in the Bronx, Northern Manhattan, and North and Central Brooklyn are invited to apply for SAfH’s Excellence in School Wellness Award.  The purpose of this award is to recognize schools creating a culture of wellness within the school.  Applications are due May 6, 2011.  More information including the official flyer, the complete award application, a list of 2010 winning schools, and news articles from last year’s ceremony can be found at the following link:  http://www.nycsafh.org/news/outreach-portfolio-safh-excellence-school-wellness-award. For any questions, please contact info@nycsafh.org.

Adopt a Bodega – May 11^th & 25^th, 2011

Learn how to…Adopt-A-Bodega!  Participate in this 2 part training and walk away with the tools to successfully demand healthier food options at your local corner store!

Our neighborhoods are full of life and wonderful cultural resources.  However, many of our neighborhoods lack access to adequate, affordable, and quality healthy foods while having great access to unhealthy, high caloric, and fattening foods.  Bodegas are less likely to carry healthy foods and more likely to carry unhealthy foods than supermarkets.  Additionally, supermarkets typically offer more healthy choices but are less common and accessible in areas such as Harlem and the Bronx.  However, as a community, we CAN demand certain items to be sold in the bodegas and we CAN change our food environment!

During the 2 part workshop, we will:

•         Provide an overview of food access issues in NYC

•         Discuss and brainstorm strategies for approaching and building relationships with store owners

•         Offer suggestions on how to identify the bodega that your organization will adopt

•         Decide what healthier options your organization would like the adopted store to stock

•         Debrief on your first efforts to talk to your local bodega owner about carrying healthier foods

Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 AND Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Time: 3-5pm

Location: East Harlem Asthma Center of Excellence, Training Room 1, 161-169 E. 110st between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, NY, NY 10029

RSVP by: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 to Dugeidy Ortiz at dortiz2@health.nyc.gov or (646) 672-2410. (please indicate number of attendees and organization)

*Please note this is a 2-part training.  If you RSVP, you are committing to attend both trainings.

NYC Green Cart Cookbook

Green Carts are located in designated neighborhoods throughout the City as part of an effort to increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in communities where access is limited. The NYC Green Cart Cookbook, a collection of 26 recipes inspired by the fruits and vegetables sold at NYC Green Carts, features contributions from famous NYC chefs, elected officials, community groups and Green Cart vendors. This Spring, 10,000 free cookbooks will be given away at NYC Green Carts and health-focused institutions across the City in an effort to promote healthy eating in New York neighborhoods. Click here to download a free copy.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Childhood Obesity Webinars

Please join The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity for the webinar series, "Hand in Hand, Together We Can: Working with Communities to Improve America's Health." Webinars will be held every other week on Thursdays at 2 p.m. Eastern. Webinar topics include: Farm Bill 101, and Portraits of Success: The Farm Bill in Action. Register for upcoming webinars at:
http://www.reversechildhoodobesity.org/content/hand-hand-together-we-can-working-community-make-federal-and-local-change

Cancelled: Stellar Farmers Markets winter program

The DOH’s Stellar Farmers Markets’ winter program, announced in the previous e-blast, has been cancelled due to budget cuts.  However, the Stellar Farmers Markets workshops, which include nutrition education lessons and cooking demonstrations, will resume in the summer at markets all over the Bronx.  Free HealthBucks will be distributed at the workshops for people to spend at farmers markets.  For more information about the Stellar Farmers Markets program, contact Kate Gardner at kgardner@health.nyc.gov.

Weight Watchers – discount for South Bronx residents

Weight Watchers is offering a special opportunity for community residents in the South Bronx to join at a discount. Weight Watchers is offering their national program at a reduced rate of $2.50 per meeting (75% off their regular meeting price) to individuals that live in the South Bronx. The meetings take place every Saturday at 10 AM at Immaculate Conception Church on 150^th Street and Melrose Avenue for the next 10 weeks.  Please share this healthy weight loss program information with your clients!

All interested individuals should contact Rosanna Campitiello at rcampitiello@cityharvest.org or 917-351-8726 to register in advance of attending a meeting. Meetings have already started but participants can join any week and will be brought up to speed!

Run for Something Better Program 

Global financial institution ING and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) have partnered to promote the ING Run for Something Better School Awards Program. Funding will be given to schools that desire to establish a school-based running program or expand an existing one, in an effort to help fight childhood obesity and introduce youth to the benefits of running.  A minimum of 50 grants will be awarded to selected applicants for $2,500 each. Eligible applicants include school programs that target grades Kindergarten through 8th grade in public elementary or middle schools.

Deadline: May 1, 2011

Contact NASPE directly for more information and to apply for this funding:  http://naspe.confex.com/naspe/2011/cfp.cgi

Mentoring Opportunity: Tech Wizards

Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC, in collaboration with the National 4-H and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, will be running a mentoring program, entitled Tech Wizards, which will utilize GPS/GIS technology to engage youth and address issues in their communities.  They are currently recruiting mentors (unpaid) to volunteer to work with a group of 4 students (collectively) once a week in two-hour sessions from late April 2011-January 2012.  Mentors that work during this period will have the opportunity to choose between working with young people from Brooklyn (Crown Heights), Queens (Jamaica) and the Bronx (Mott Haven).  Prior knowledge of GPS/GIS technology is not required, as mentors will be provided with training in both mentoring and GPS technology.  If you or someone you know would like to seize upon this opportunity to positively impact the lives of several NYC youth in the 4-H Tech Wizards Program, please contact Michele Luc at 212-340-2970 or via e-mail at ML782@cornell.edu.

April is National Minority Health Month

A recent study published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which ranks the health of counties across the US on a state-by-state basis, shows the Bronx ranking dead last out of New York State’s 62 counties. Brooklyn (Kings County) didn’t fare much better, ranking 58 out of the 62.  Both boroughs have large numbers of immigrants and people living in communities of color.  Now is the time for New York to start paying attention to health disparities. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlID=536 


HHS Announces Plan to Reduce Health Disparities
On Friday, April 8, HHS unveiled its roadmap for reducing health and health care disparities, a comprehensive effort to address differences in health for racial, ethnic, and other underserved communities, and the National Partnership for Action's National Stakeholder Strategy. For information, email info@minorityhealth.hhs.gov or call 1-800-444-6472.

Consumer Reports – Obtaining Benefits Under the New Healthcare Bill

To mark the one-year anniversary of the health care bill, Consumer Reports compiled a report on how to obtain benefits under the new bill.  You can access the report here.

“Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners” Course - April 26-27, 2011

Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC’s Urban Environment Program will be holding an “Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners” course.  If you visit homes to provide health or inspection services of any type, you will benefit from the Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners Course.  The training will help you understand the connection between health and housing and how to take a holistic approach to identify and resolve problems, which threaten the health and well-being of residents.  The training complements hazard-specific training and identifies root causes of health problems in the home. Course participants will have a better understanding of how to collaborate to make healthy homes a reality in their community.  To learn more, please visit the National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network website:  http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/

Date:       April 26-27, 2011
Time:       8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location:  Cornell Extension-NYC’s Bronx Office
432 E. 149th Street, the Bronx (#2 or 5 train to 3rd Ave-149th St stop)
Cost:  $220.  The Healthy Homes Specialist Credential exam will be offered at the end of day two for an additional fee.

IOBY Funding Support

Do you have a great idea for your neighborhood?  IOBY (“In Our BackYard”) supports small, grassroots efforts that benefit our communities in NYC and the local environment. If you have a great idea for a local environmental project, apply to have it posted on ioby.org to find donations or volunteers!  Eligible projects will be accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit http://ioby.org/, or contact Helen Ho at Helen@ioby.org or 917-464-4515.

Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC) Small Grants and Technical Assistance Program

CTAC makes available small grants and technical assistance to build the capacity, sustainability, and impact of non-profit organizations that are engaged in important community organizing in low-income neighborhoods or for low-income constituencies. CTAC will award a total of 6-8 small grants (maximum $20,000). Groups must have a community organizing focus and demonstrate a track-record of successful community organizing within their low income community. For the purpose of this program, community organizing is broadly defined as the process of building a powerful, community-controlled, democratically run, inclusive, grassroots organization capable of developing leaders and effecting social change for its constituent members.

Deadline: May 26, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.ctacusa.com/smallgrants.html

Bronx Health REACH E-blast: February 28th, 2011

Reminder: Faith-Rooted Organizing Training March 4^th

Come learn how to address social and economic injustices in a way that draws power from the roots of one’s faith. Faith-rooted organizing is a method of organizing based on the Civil Rights movement, bringing people together to create change. It will be held Friday March 4^th from 9:00am to 5:30pm at Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012). To register, click this link or paste into your browser: http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=3154 or contact Saralyn Jones atsjones@nyfaithjustice.org or Neise Martin at nmartin@nyfaithjustice.org or (212) 870-1254.

NY Faith & Justice’s Minute for Health Campaign

How can your community of faith live a healthier lifestyle?  NY Faith & Justice and Faith Leaders for Environmental Justice are offering to bring health messages directly to the members of your faith community.  Get easy tips on simple things you can do to improve your health and fight against diabetes and obesity. For more information, contact Stephen Tickner at stickner@nyfaithjustice.org or (917) 628-5131. 

We Are The Bronx (WATB) Fellowship – Request for Proposals

We Are The Bronx (WATB) is a Fellowship of over 25 non-profit organizations in the Bronx that was created in 2009. WATB provides non-profit professionals opportunities to network and training in leadership development. WATB created the 2010-2011 Grant-Making Committee to provide project funding to a Bronx-based individual or organization that shares the WATB mission of strengthening the borough. This year the 2010-2011 Grant-Making Committee will award a grant of up to $1000 to a Bronx-based individual or organization that engages youth in leadership development or community empowerment endeavors. 

Click here for the RFP.

Click here for the Application.

Funding opportunity for faith-based organizations in NYC

The Fund for Public Health in New York, on behalf of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, is requesting proposals from faith based institutions/organizations to receive grant funds up to $1,450.00 to implement Phase II of the New York City Walkers for Wellness Program which involves: 1) establishing walking clubs and 2) adopting the New York City Department of Health nutrition policies for social events and regular meetings.  Note: Only faith based organizations that have proof of 501c3 non-profit status, operating in the five boroughs of New York City are eligible to apply.  Application deadline is 5:00PM Friday, March 18, 2011.  For more information, visit here.

Pando Projects – Growing Gardens Growing Kids

Through the non-profit organization Pando Projects, several Community HealthCorps members at the Institute for Family Health are helping Pre-K classes at MidBronx Council Services to grow a community garden. The project will be using Earthboxes which are low-maintenance container gardens that have high yields of produce. The teachers in the Pre-K classes will be given a weekly curriculum for 3 months. They will help their class plant an Earthbox to contribute to the garden. Growing Gardens Growing Kids will increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, provide hands-on learning so the children understand where food comes from, and teach them nutrition and healthy habits. Read more about Growing Gardens Growing Kids at www.pilot.pandoprojects.org/ying. If you have any questions, contact the project leader Ying Guo through the website.

Grow to Learn NYC

GrowNYC, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, has launched a new school garden initiative called “Grow to Learn NYC.”  “Garden” is being defined broadly to include container gardens and edible walls, not just traditional gardens.  At the new website, http://growtolearn.org/, you can find resources for teachers and parents, how-to guides, information about financing school gardens through mini-grants, Garden to Café, and more. Online school garden registration and applying for city resources through GreenThumb can be done at this website as well.  You can also contact the experts if you have additional questions or would like help facilitating a garden committee meeting at your school.

Bronx Food & Sustainability Coalition (BxFSC) Meeting: February 28^th

Come learn about the BxFSC’s plans for Bronx Week in May, and see how you can get involved, and get a firsthand peek at classroom gardening!  The next BxFSC meeting will be graciously hosted by Steve Ritz in his classroom at Discovery High School.  Please join us!

Date: Monday, February 28

Time: 6:30pm  

Location: Discovery High School, Room #279

2780 Reservoir Avenue, Bronx NY 10468.  Discovery High School is located up on the Walton High School campus (take the 4, B or D train to Kingsbridge Rd).

National Nutrition Month & Registered Dietitian Day – March 9^th

March is National Nutrition Month and the American Dietetic Association urges you to “Eat Right with Color.”  Learn more by attending Registered Dietitian Day on March 9^th, where the theme is “Tackling the Challenges of Obesity in the Bronx.”  This event is open to healthcare providers and community members, and Honorable Congressman Jose E. Serrano andHonorable Congressman Eliot L. Engel have been invited. 

Date: Wednesday March 9, 2011

Time: 11am – 2:30 pm

Location: North Central Bronx Central Hospital (NCBH)

3424 Kossuth Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 on the 17^th floor private dining room     

RSVP w/ “RD Day” in subject line to meehan.maggie@gmail.com

For further information, see www.gnyda.org  or call Gloria Bent MS, RD, CDN, GNYDA at 718-519-2129 or Melissa Pflugh, MS, RD, CDN – President-Elect, GNYDA at 212-342-0713.

Obesity Think Tank meeting March 23^rd

On March 23^rd, Albert Einstein College of Medicine will host its eighth Obesity Think Tank meeting, which will highlight Bronx Health REACH’s obesity prevention efforts.  Come learn about our experiences and strategize new opportunities with us!

“Fostering Policy, Systems and Environmental Changes to Address Obesity and Diabetes in the South Bronx—Lessons Learned from Bronx Health REACH’s Eleven Years of Experience”

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Time: 4:00 p.m.

Location: The Michael F. Price Center for Genetic and Translational Medicine and The Harold and Muriel Block Research Pavilion

5th Floor Conference Room (Room 551)

Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jack & Pearl Resnick Campus

1301 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY  10461

RSVP by March 17, 2011 to:  merrilly.calabrese@einstein.yu.edu

Health Disparity Working Group – March 9^th, 2011

To join our End Segregated Healthcare campaign, come to our Health Disparities Working Group March 9^th, 2011. Our working group meets every 2^nd Wednesday of the month at Cosmopolitan Church of Lord Jesus at 39 W. 190^th St., Bronx, NY 10468 from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.  During our next meeting, we hope to show a documentary of this issue made by New York Lawyers for Public Interest. We will also be discussing future meetings with elected officials, outreach strategy, and next steps in the campaign. Join us and support the Health Equality Bill! Contact Ying Guo at yguo@institute2000.org or at 212-633-0800 ext. 1341 for more information.

Medicaid Reform

Governor Cuomo has created a “Medicaid Redesign Team” to help him cut New York’s Medicaid program by $2 billion and redesign it for the long-term.  This 27-member team is made up of only one statewide community organization and has little representation from the public sector. It is primarily dominated by the hospital industry and is led by two men with ties to large, private hospitals. Given the imbalanced composition of the Redesign Team, we are concerned that the “savings” and “reforms” it will propose will also be imbalanced, resulting in cuts to Medicaid benefits, long-term and primary care services in the community, and safety net providers. In New York City, people of color are more than twice as likely to be publicly insured as whites. This means that cuts and bad decisions about reforms to the Medicaid program will have a bigger negative impact on communities of color.The New York City public hearing was held on February 4^th, 2011. You can view a video of some of the public hearing at http://tinyurl.com/6l27anv or join the Save Our Safety Net Campaign by emailing soscny@gmail.com.  You can stay updated on Medicaid reform through the health justice blog of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (http://healthjustice.wordpress.com/). Here is the link to the latest post and here is a link to key resources related to the Medicaid Redesign Team.

Institute for Family Health News

On February 9^th, the Institute for Family Health broke ground to expand its Walton Family Health Center on 177^th St and Walton Ave. in the Bronx. The remodeled and expanded center is expected to care for 10,000 more residents of Mt. Hope, University Heights, and West Tremont annually. The Institute is also going to be one of the first federally-funded Teaching Health Centers in the country. It will expand its residency program in its Mid-Hudson Valley health centers to address critical shortages of primary care physicians across the state.  “The Institute has a strong track record of training family medicine residents who continue to practice

in high-need communities” once their training is complete, and many of the new physicians that will be trained are expected to continue serving in these communities.  For more information and to access the press releases, please visit http://institute2000.org/org/press.htm.

Bronx Health REACH e-blast: Feb. 3, 2011

NY Faith & Justice: Faith-Rooted Organizing training: March 4th
NY Faith and Justice is organizing a one-day introductory training on how to address social and economic injustices in our city and our world in a way that draws power from the roots of one’s faith. Faith-rooted organizing is a method of organizing based on the Civil Rights movement, bringing people together to create change. It is shaped and guided in every way by beliefs rooted in faith.
Date: Friday, March 4, 2011
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm (with break from 11:30am-1pm)
Location: Hosted by Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
To register, click this link or paste into your browser: http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=3154
Or contact Saralyn Jones at sjones@nyfaithjustice.org or Neise Martin at nmartin@nyfaithjustice.org or (212) 870-1254

“Ask Dr. Tommy O”
“Ask Dr. Tommy O” Health Education Show is a non-profit volunteer television program designed to encourage a healthier lifestyle, promote interest in health education, and provide empowerment through health education. It is hosted by Dr. Timothy Birkett of Church Alive Community Church and member Bronx Health REACH’s Faith-Based Outreach Initiative, and co-hosted by Thomas G. O’Brien II, M.S., D.O., a proactive, community oriented family physician. Dr. O'Brien has been honored by Cambridge Who's Who for Excellence in Healthcare, and presented with an award from United Bronx Parents, Inc. for providing exceptional medical care to the South Bronx Community. The show has reached millions of viewers and won numerous awards since it went on the air in 1987, including a Beta Award from Bronx Net Cablevision in 2004 for “Best Health Educational Show.” To learn more about “Ask Dr. Tommy O,” please visit www.communityhealtheducation.com.

“Super Size Me” Screening: February 7th
There will be a free screening of "Super Size Me" at the New York Academy of Medicine on February 7. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Judith Wylie-Rosett, EdD, RD, Professor and Division Head for Behavioral and Nutritional Research, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Date: February 7, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Registration and Reception: 5:30 – 6:00 PM; Film showing and discussion: 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, New York, NY 10029
Please register at: http://www.nyam.org/events/2011/2011-02-07-01.html

Nutrition & Fitness Workgroup meeting: February 10, 2011
Please join us for our next Nutrition and Fitness workgroup meeting, where we will hold a discussion on the policies this workgroup should address at the school building, district, and citywide levels. We will also discuss our school-based obesity prevention program, have a presentation on school garden-based initiatives, and discuss next steps for our social marketing project and afterschool initiative expansion.
Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011
Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Location: Morrisania Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Room TBA
1225 Gerard Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452

Adopt A Bodega 2-Part Training
Learn how to…Adopt-A-Bodega! Participate in a 2 part training and walk away with the tools to successfully demand healthier food options at your local corner store!
Our Bronx neighborhoods are full of life and wonderful cultural resources. However, many of our neighborhoods lack access to adequate, affordable, and quality healthy foods while having great access to unhealthy, high calorie, and fattening foods. Approximately 90% of food stores in the Bronx are bodegas. Bodegas are less likely to carry healthy foods and more likely to carry unhealthy foods than supermarkets. Additionally, supermarkets typically offer more healthy choices but they are less common and accessible in the Bronx. However, as a community, we CAN demand certain items to be sold in the bodegas and we CAN change our food environment!
During the 2 part workshop, we will:
• Provide an overview of food access issues in the Bronx
• Discuss and brainstorm strategies for approaching and building relationships with store owners
• Offer suggestions on how to identify the bodega that your organization will adopt
• Decide what healthier options your organization would like the adopted store to stock
• Debrief on your first efforts to talk to your local bodega owner about carrying healthier foods
As part of the initiative, you will receive a toolkit and on-going technical support
Dates: Thursday, February 17, 2011 AND Thursday, March 24, 2011
Time: 6-8pm
Location: 1932 Arthur Ave., 2nd Floor, Newborn Conference Room
Bronx, NY 10457
RSVP by: Thursday, February 10, 2011 to aruiz@health.nyc.gov or (718) 466-8856 (please indicate number of attendees and organization)

Healthy Schools NY Leadership Institute
The Healthy Schools NY Leadership Institute application is now available at http://healthyschoolsny.ocmboces.org. Schools in NY interested in further improving the wellness of their school community are eligible to apply with teams of two staff (one administrator and one health professional). The focus of this FREE 4-year leadership development program is to increase the number of schools that effectively implement policy, systems and environmental changes related to physical activity, nutrition and tobacco-free norms within the school community. The application deadline is March 4, 2011. For more information visit the website or contact Kari Shanahan, Program Manager at kshanahan@ocmboces.org.

FamilyCook Productions Food Educator Certification training Feb. 26th & 27th
FamilyCook Productions is conducting their next Food Educator Certification training on February 26th & 27th in Manhattan: training teachers, parents and volunteers to teach such programs as Teen Battle Chef and Dinner Party/Look Who’s Cooking. The training provides program sites with all the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully run a food-safe, hands-on culinary/nutrition program. For more information, please call 212-867-3929.

Public Health Law & Policy Webinars
Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP) is having a series of monthly webinars to bring you up to speed on the most effective, cutting-edge strategies for tackling obesity and making healthy changes in your community. Each training will provide you with new ideas, expert support, and real-life stories from communities tackling some of the same issues we're facing right now.
All webinars are free and begin at 10am PST (1pm EST). Learn more and register at: http://www.phlpnet.org/phlp/webinars

DASH-NY: What Can NYS Do Now to Prevent Obesity
On January 20th, the New York Academy of Medicine hosted the DASH-NY Obesity Prevention Symposium. If you were not able to make it, you can view videos and materials from the event and connect with others at http://www.nyam.org/dash-ny/Good-Ideas-Symposium.html.

Health Reform Youtoons video now available on DVD in Spanish
Bronx Health REACH has translated Kaiser Family Foundation’s Health Reform Hits Main Street: The Youtoons Explain the Health Reform Law animation found here: http://healthreform.kff.org/The-Animation.aspx. If you would like a copy of the Spanish translation for your community outreach use, please contact Ying Guo at yguo@institute2000.org or 212-633-0800 ext. 1341.

Health Disparity Updates
Please join us in our fight to end segregated care! You are welcome to attend our next health disparity workgroup meeting, which will be held at 1:30pm on February 9th at Cosmopolitan Church of the Lord Jesus, 39 West 190th Street. We are supporting passage of legislation that will guarantee equal access to quality outpatient specialty care for patients of academic medical centers regardless of source of payment. In addition, we offer workshops on health disparities. Please contact Bernice McFarline at bmcfarline@institute2000.org or 212-633-0800 ext.1344 if you are interested in having us hold a health disparity workshop at your organization.

The Institute for Family Health’s Chronic Disease Self Management Program
The Institute for Family Health is starting a new Chronic Disease Self Management Program and is looking for new sites to hold the sessions. The program is six weeks long, 2 ½ hours per week, for 10-18 people. If you are interested in bringing this program to your organization, please contact Bernice McFarline at bmcfarline@institute2000.org.

Bronx Perinatal Forum: March 9, 2011
You are invited to the Bronx Perinatal annual forum, "Patients as Partners in Health Care,” which will begin a dialogue between consumers and providers on how to address the sobering issue of the borough's poor rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality, prematurity, low birth weight, teen pregnancy as well as the increasing incidence of chronic illness among women of childbearing age. The forum will begin to create a partnership between patients and providers to inform and engage all on improving the status of women and babies in the borough. The annual forum is free. For more information, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1114279841, call Melissa Vega at (718)904-4105 or email her at mevega@montefiore.org

Reminder: Upcoming Bronx Health REACH Coalition Meeting
Date: February 18, 2011
Time: 9:30am-12:00pm
Location: Walker Memorial Baptist Church
120 East 169th Street, Bronx, New York 10452
Please RSVP to Yvette Holland at yholland@institute2000.org or (212) 633-0800 ext 1232.