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The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Foundation for Healthy America recently announced that they will distribute $745,000 in grants to nine cities, including Arlington. These cities have been named winners of the 2023 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards.
The purpose of the grant is to support programs that address childhood obesity, environmental health and sustainability by encouraging community members to adopt healthier behaviors.
The City of Arlington, in partnership with the University of Texas at Arlington, will use a $50,000 grant to launch the Healthy Connections: A Healthy Arlington initiative. The City and UTA are committed to disseminating information about existing healthy initiatives and programs in the Arlington area, coordinating new programs for children, and promoting and encouraging safe outlets for both adults and children to exercise. I am aiming.
“While we strive to promote sustainability and healthy activities across our communities, healthy connectivity programs have been successful in helping residents have fewer healthy food options, lower median incomes, and obesity. We will focus on the central and eastern Arlington areas where rates are high, food deserts are high and safe places are few – places where you can walk or bike,” said Jinsy Toppil, director of planning and development services. says.
Long Term Planning Manager Patricia Shinel and Medical Services Manager Amy Rockhill Carpenter will oversee the project from the City side. They will work with UT Arlington’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Meghna Tare, and the Urban Research Institute.
Tarré said UT Arlington is a sustainability leader and a responsible steward of the campus environment.
“Our various sustainability programs (including promoting walking and cycling) demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and healthy communities,” said Tare. “Through this partnership with the City of Arlington, UTA will address childhood obesity, environmental health and sustainability by encouraging community members to adopt healthier behaviors.”
The application for the award stems from concerns raised by the City’s Unity Council regarding the dissemination of health and wellness information and opportunities for healthy living for Arlington residents. Through its Healthy Connections initiative, the City will create web pages linking to all existing programs, web-based series and community activities that address sustainability and healthy activities, including ambulatory programs for children and families. are planning to develop The City will also create a walkability database for Arlington’s existing safe walks and use walk audits to report on the accessibility, condition, and deficiencies of existing sidewalks in East and Central Arlington. planning.
Since the partnership’s inception in 2012, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America have jointly awarded 75 grants worth $5.8 million to 68 cities nationwide. These awards have supported programs that improve the health, wellness and environmental quality of children and families.
“Thanks to its long-standing partnership with the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, the conference has invested in cities to bring innovation to their most pressing health needs. Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of Mayors Group, at the forefront of
– Written by Susan Schlock, City of Arlington.
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