Rye Y facilitates Nita Lowey forum
[March 9, 2011, Rye, NY] Facilitated by the Rye YMCA, Congresswoman Nita Lowey conducted a “Protect Your Health” 
forum to solicit community feedback on the National Prevention Council’s Strategy for Preventive Health and Preventive Health Policy. The strategy is to be presented to Congress and the President in July 2011.
As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law last year, Congress charged the Council with devising a strategy with respect to prevention, wellness and health promotion practices. Lowey’s forum featured guest speaker Dr. Jaime Torres, Regional Director for the US Dept. of Health and Human Services, who sought participants’ feedback on strategies which encourage public/private entities to work together in promoting healthier choices by individuals and communities.
In her letter inviting forum attendees, Congresswoman Lowey stated: “I know that some groups, including the Rye YMCA’s Activate America Healthier Communities Coalition of the Sound Shore, already have programs to improve lifestyle and health in their local communities, and their efforts offer a good example of how to promote healthy behavior on a local level.” Examples of local initiatives include development of edible school gardens, Safe Routes to School, changes to vending machine offerings, and school reward programs which offer healthy snacks or more recess time as student incentives.
Dr. Torres announced that $15 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Investment Fund will be available to fund strategic initiatives; information on how to apply for these grant funds will be released shortly.
Photo Caption: ongresswoman Nita Lowey at her “Protect Your Health” forum which took place at Rye Recreation on March 4th in Rye. Pictured above with Lowey are Gregg Howells, Executive Dir. Rye YMCA and Rye City Mayor Doug French.
