New Hampshire schools take the Healthier US School Challenge (5/1/13)
CONCORD, NH (May 1, 2013) – Red, orange, dark green...it's not just the kids that are learning about colors in New Hampshire schools these days. School administrators and food service directors are learning about the value of serving red, orange and dark green vegetables, low fat milk, and promoting exercise in schools to help achieve health and academic success for their students in a series of Healthier US School Challenge training workshops in Concord.
In February 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced Let's Move!, incorporating the Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) into her campaign to raise a healthier generation of kids. Last year, the USDA released updated criteria for the Healthier US School Challenge to encourage schools to exceed new school meal nutrition standards and promote more opportunities for nutritious food choices, physical activity, and a culture of wellness. To date, 27 schools in New Hampshire have received HUSSC awards, with three schools in the Nashua School District receiving silver awards. For complete list, go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/NewHampshire.html
The Healthier US School Challenge is a voluntary program that has opportunities for schools to participate at various levels for recognition and monetary awards. Criteria include healthier standards for school breakfast and lunch offerings and foods sold outside of the school meal programs (such as in vending machines and à la carte), nutrition education, physical education, and school wellness policies. Partnerships with local chefs and farm to school initiatives are also part of the program, extending the reach of the program's effects well into the community.
To read the full press release, click here...
NH Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration Issues March Newsletter (3/5/13)
To read the latest newsletter from the NH Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration, click here...
Legislators to learn about statewide Healthy Eating Active Living efforts (3/5/13)
CONCORD, NH — Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) NH, one of New Hampshire's leading organizations supporting healthy community initiatives, will update New Hampshire state representatives and senators on March 6, 2013, from 7:30-9 a.m. at the State House Dining Room in Concord.
Since 2008, HEAL has worked together with its partners to address the public health epidemic of overweight and obesity in New Hampshire. At its current trajectory, the state's adult obesity rates could reach nearly 60 percent by 2030, according to a 2012 report released by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. On Wednesday, legislators will have the opportunity to learn about HEAL's strategies and progress to help control health care costs associated with obesity while supporting efforts to increase health and quality of live for residents in more than 65 cities and towns in the state.
A growing body of evidence indicates that people are healthier when they live in vibrant communities with convenient, affordable and safe access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity. The support of state lawmakers is essential to creating healthier communities, including neighborhoods, schools, childcare centers, workplaces and health care settings. On Wednesday, HEAL and several of its community partners, will be at the State House to share their successes and the steps they are taking to realize their vision of 'a New Hampshire where all residents enjoy health and quality of life through healthy eating and active living.'
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About HEAL NH: The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) NH campaign began in 2008 and is led by the Foundation for Healthy Communities, a non-profit New Hampshire organization focused on improving health and health care through innovative partnerships. HEAL is supported by a collaboration of foundations and state agencies committed to promoting health and wellbeing for all New Hampshire residents. Funding is provided by HNH Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, Endowment for Health, NH Charitable Foundation, and NH Department of Health and Human Services. More information about the HEAL NH Campaign can be found at www.healnh.org
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‘Teens on Tanning’ Forums to be held on February 15 and 16 (2/6/13)
Concord, NH – As part of a growing national effort to prevent melanoma in teens and young adults, students from throughout New Hampshire will be taking part in educational programs offered by the Melanoma Foundation of New England (MFNE) in collaboration with the New Hampshire Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration (NH CCC)
Two 'Teens on Tanning' Forums will be held in New Hampshire, including February 15 in Laconia and February 16 in Concord. The Teens on Tanning Forums are designed to educate high school students about sun safety and the risks associated with tanning.
At the Teens on Tanning forums, several young melanoma survivors will share their first-hand experiences about the effects of tanning. Participating teens will receive information and training to help them identify, plan and implement key initiatives at the community grassroots level to raise awareness about the dangers of tanning and adopt sun safe behaviors. Attendees will receive a community service certificate, healthy skin goody bag, T-shirt, pizza, and more.
Melanoma is the second most common cancer in teens and young adults age 15-29. The American Cancer Society estimated 470 new cases of melanoma would be diagnosed in New Hampshire in 2012, and the most likely causes include unhealthy tanning practices and exposure to the harmful UV rays of tanning beds. People who use a tanning bed just once a month before the age of 35 increase their risk of melanoma by 75 percent.
Last year, 70 New Hampshire high school students attended the 'Teens on Tanning' Forum held at Red River Theatres in Concord. Now in its third year, 'Teens on Tanning' has expanded to two forums in the Granite State.
The Teens on Tanning Forums are part of the Melanoma Foundation's "Your Skin Is In" program, a no-tanning pledge contest for high school and college students across New England. Over the past five years MFNE has encouraged over 250,000 students to sign a No-Tanning pledge through the Your Skin Is In program.
More Information about Teens on Tanning Forums:
• Friday, Feb. 15 – Pitman's Freight Room, Laconia, NH, 3 pm-7 pm. Register on-line or download and print the Registration Form.
• Saturday, Feb. 16 – Red River Theatre, Concord, NH, 10 am-2 pm. Register on-line or download and print the Registration Form.
Teens on Tanning Forum: Your Skin Is In (1/11/13)
Join us on February 15 in Laconia and February 16 in Concord for our 'Teens on Tanning Forum' where you will gain leadership skills, learn the myths of tanning and the facts of melanoma. Hear first-hand experiences of young melanoma survivors and find out how to bring sun safety and skin cancer prevention messages back to your school and community.
Bring a friend and empower yourselves with the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in the lives of others. Open to all high school students.
Get the facts:
- Melanoma is the 2nd most common cancer in young adults ages 15-29
- 2.3 million teens tan indoors in the U.S. every year
- People who use tanning beds once a month increase their risk of melanoma by 75%
To view the registration form for Laconia, click here...
To view the registration form for Concord, click here...
