In observance of Wellness Week 2013, public health experts will highlight efforts to make Washington, D.C., and other cities healthier places for people to live, work, learn and play—to improve quality of life and prevent noncommunicable diseases.
WHAT: In observance of Wellness Week 2013, public health experts will highlight efforts to make Washington, D.C., and other cities healthier places for people to live, work, learn and play—to improve quality of life and prevent noncommunicable diseases.
WHEN: Friday, 20 September 2013, 11:00—11:45 a.m.
WHERE: Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) HQ, Room B
525 23rd St. NW, Washington, DC (Corner 23rd St. & Virginia Ave)
WHO:
- Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, PAHO Director
- Dr. Joxel Garcia, Director, D.C. Department of Health
- Dr. Susan Polan, Associate Executive Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy, APHA
- Capt. Charles L. Higgins, Director, Office of Public Health, National Park Service
HOW: In person or http://www.paho.org/virtual/workershealth
CONTEXT: Wellness Week is a Pan American initiative designed to promote ways cities can help prevent noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases by creating environments that promote good nutrition and physical activity and discourage tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.
Wellness Week was originally inspired by Caribbean Wellness Day, celebrated on 13 September each year in Caribbean countries to raise public awareness about noncommunicable diseases and prevention through healthy living. This year, cities throughout the hemisphere will showcase initiatives enabling healthy choices for all citizens during the Wellness Week with activities ranging from street closings for health walks and safe bike rides to healthy-food fairs. Participating countries include the Bahamas, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay, the United States, and others.
PAHO is the oldest public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO.
Links:
- Wellness Week 2013
- https://www.facebook.com/PAHOWHO
- https://www.youtube.com/pahopin
- https://twitter.com/pahowho
- https://twitter.com/pahowho #wellnessweek
Media Contacts:
Donna Eberwine-Villagran, eberwind@paho.org, Tel. +1 202 974 3122, Mobile +1 202 316 5469, Sonia Mey-Schmidt, maysonia@paho.org, Tel. + 1 202 974 3036, Mobile +1 202 251 2646, Knowledge Management and Communications, PAHO/WHO—www.paho.org
