Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan

Steering Committee: Altarum Institute American Cancer Society American Heart Association Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Community Policy Action Team* Education Policy Action Team* Health, Family, and Child Care Services Policy Action Team* Henry Ford Health System Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance Michigan Chapter of the American College of Cardiology Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development* Michigan Department of Community Health* Michigan Department of Education* Michigan Department of Human Services* Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs* Michigan Department of Transportation* Michigan Fitness Foundation Michigan Health & Hospital Association Michigan Soft Drink Association Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems University of Michigan C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital YMCA State Alliance of Michigan *Ex-Officio

Advocates for Healthy Weight in Children

September/October 2013 Newsletter

Study Shows Some States Making Progress on Childhood Obesity In August, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a report that after over a decade of steady increases, childhood obesity rates have finally started to decline among low-income preschoolers in some states across the country. The study showed that between 2008 and 2011, childhood obesity rates for low-income preschoolers declined by small but statistically significant amounts in 19 states and U.S. territories. The study believes efforts to improve food nutrition in schools, promoting increased physical activity, and new government initiatives have likely contributed to this new declining trend; however, there is no specific proof that any government programs have led to direct improvement. NBC News published a report on the CDC Study in August which featured Michigan as one of the 19 states which saw improvement over the three year period. Michigan saw childhood obesity rates for low-income preschools decrease from 13.9% in 2008 to 13.2% in 2011. The NBC story spoke with Lonias Gilmore from the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), a Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan member, on this improvement. Gilmore said the national Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) has helped reach preschool children in child centers across the state and nationwide. To read the complete NBC News story, please click here. For a complete version of the CDC Study, please see the link below: http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/ChildhoodObesity/index.html

Committee Hears Testimony on Vulnerable Roadway User (VRU) Bills The Michigan Legislature is currently considering two important bills, HB 4792 (Nathan, DDetroit) and HB 4799 (McBroom, R-Vulcan). These two bills are aimed at making the roadway a safer place for cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable roadway users. To do this, stiffer penalties would be given to drivers who injure or kill bikers, pedestrians or wheelchair users in the form of community service, fines, or jail time.

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Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan

Advocates for Healthy Weight in Children
An important part of these bills is that vulnerable roadway users will be safer both for transportation and exercise purposes. By improving vulnerable roadway safety laws, Michigan is also improving access to physical activity and healthy practices. Given that physical exercise, such as walking or riding a bicycle, is an important aspect of maintaining healthy habits, HB 4792 and 4799 will help ensure a safe environment for Michigan residents to work, play, and pursue an active lifestyle. On September 11, the House Criminal Justice Committee heard testimony on this legislation, with many groups expressing their support. Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Chairman Mike Maisner was among those who testified in support, while the League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Environmental Council and Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance/Michigan Fitness Foundation all HKHM members also testified in support. Michigan currently leads the nation with 80 locally adopted Complete Streets policies. As communities implement Complete Streets, more and more individuals will choose active transportation, like walking and biking. In an effort to combat childhood obesity, the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition wants to build on the successful passage of statewide Complete Streets legislation by advancing complimentary initiatives that promote non-motorized safety, said Maisner in his testimony. The Criminal Justice Committee is expected to take action on HB 4792 and HB 4799 later this fall. HKHM will provide the latest news on this legislation as it becomes available.

Register for the 2013 Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Annual Meeting today! Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan is very excited to announce the coalitions 2013 Annual Meeting will take place Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at the Cooley Law School Temple Conference Center in downtown Lansing. The event is open to all HKHM members and the general public. The meeting will feature policy panels discussing the latest legislative activity in Lansing, viewpoints from key decision makers in state government, and updates from HKHMs Policy Action Teams. Dont miss this opportunity to hear from the Governors office, state agency executives, legislators, lobbyists, and national leaders. The featured keynote speaker will be Jill Birnbaum, Vice President for State Advocacy & Public Health for the American Heart Association (AHA). Birnbaum has over 20 years experience in government affairs and advocacy for nutrition policy and other health issues. In addition, she also serves as Executive Director for Voices for Healthy Kids, a collaboration between the Robert Wood

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Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan

Advocates for Healthy Weight in Children
Johnson Foundation and the AHA dedicated to improving health in local communities to combat childhood obesity. The 2013 Annual Meeting will be a fantastic showcase event for HKHM members and the general public. The event will run from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM with lunch provided. A $20 registration fee is required for each attendee. To learn more about the event and to register, please click here.
Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan is a coalition dedicated to reducing childhood obesity in Michigan through strategic policy initiatives while working with state government leaders. HKHM is comprised of executive-level decision makers from more than 120 organizations statewide dedicated to addressing childhood obesity and improving the health of Michigans youngest residents. The se organizations represent government, public and private sectors, school districts, health care and non-profit organizations.

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