Walkable, transit-oriented developments, community parks and gardens, Agricultural Reserve and food resource network improving health of County.
SILVER SPRING, MD – Gwen Wright, director of the Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will present key strategies for achieving healthy communities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Wright will join Acting Surgeon General Boris D. Lushniak and other experts at the seminar “The National Prevention Strategy: Prioritizing Prevention to Improve the Nation’s Health,” held on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 on the NIH campus in Bethesda.
The event is part of the “Mind the Gap: Translating from Clinic to Curbside” series of seminars aimed at discussing real-world solutions to national health problems, such as the obesity epidemic.
Wright will explain how Montgomery County’s new master plans and zoning ordinance promote healthy lifestyles in encouraging mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly and sustainable communities where residents can walk and bike to homes, stores, offices, parks and transit. She will highlight the programs undertaken by the Montgomery Parks Department in promoting exercise, recreation and health, including partnerships with some local physicians.
In addition, Wright will discuss the benefits of the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, with its 90,000 acres of farmland. This rural area provides fresh produce to residents at pick-your-own farms, orchards and farm stands, and supplies food to grocery chains and restaurants.
Several health-related planning tools will also be presented, including an electronic food resources map pinpointing community gardens, farmers’ markets and grocery stores.
Details:
What: The National Prevention Strategy: Prioritizing Prevention to Improve the Nation’s Health
When: Wednesday, November 5, 2014, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Building 45 (Natcher), Balcony B, NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
Watch: Live and archived videocast will be available at www.videocast.nih.gov
Connect: During the seminar follow on Twitter @NIHprevents and #NIHMtG.
The Mind the Gap event is sponsored by the Office of Disease Prevention, National Institutes of Health; Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services