Health District Supports Nevada Moves Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 25, 2011

LAS VEGAS – Walk or bike to school . . . it’s good for you and for our community. That’s the message of the second annual Nevada Moves Day, Wednesday, April 27, a statewide celebration of the Safe Routes to School program that encourages school kids and their families to walk or ride a bike to and from school. The Southern Nevada Health District is a supporter of the Safe Routes to School program as a way to improve the health of school-age children. The Clark County School District is encouraging parents and students to participate in activities at 50 area schools on Wednesday. Visit the Clark County School District’s website, http://saferoutes.ccsd.net for additional information about Nevada Moves Day activities.

The Safe Routes to School program is an effort by parents, schools, community leaders and state/local/federal governments to improve the health of kids by encouraging them to walk or bike to school and to improve safety, reduce traffic and air pollution near schools. The Southern Nevada Health District supports the Safe Route to School Programs through its Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant as a way to help children develop healthy habits and an active lifestyle. The funding is assisting the school district to expand the Safe Routes to School program to 50 schools by September 2012 and to train school district staff and community members to conduct walking audits at schools to identify safety issues. In September, the health district received a $3.8 million federal grant to develop initiatives and implement obesity prevention programs and activities, including the Safe Routes to School program. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ CPPW program.

The health district is partnering with several agencies in Clark County to implement obesity prevention programs such policies that include the development and implementation of physical activity and nutrition standards for after-school programs and child care centers, the placement of point-of-purchase signs that highlight healthier food and snack choices, an initiative to provide additional servings of fruit in school breakfast and lunch programs, the development of appropriate signs for trails and bike lanes, and efforts by the Regional Transportation Commission to design streets that enable safe access for pedestrians as well as bicyclists and public transportation users.

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The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.