WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Dec 10, 2012) - On Tuesday, December 11, nine mayors, two lieutenant governors, nine state legislators, and 70+ other state and local officials and experts in education, public health, urban planning and transportation will gather at GOVERNING's Healthy Living Summit in Atlanta to consider the role of government in encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.
"In spite of spending more per capita on healthcare than any other nation, the U.S. has one of the world's highest rates of preventable conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and obesity," noted Erin Waters, publisher of GOVERNING Magazine, host of the event. "It's increasingly clear," said Waters, "that citizen health is tied to the economic health of our communities."
Echoing recent reports on the economic struggles of the nation's "obesity belt" -- the regions with the highest levels of obesity and related conditions -- Waters pointed to a recent GOVERNING research study which found that 75% of the state and local leaders surveyed agree that a direct link exists between community health and successful economic development efforts. 84% of those surveyed also agreed that the design of communities directly affects the health of its residents.
Said Waters, "The Healthy Living Summit gives us a chance to spread the word about the kinds of programs and policies that are having the greatest impact -- from large-scale public transportation and urban design efforts to low-cost city-wide exercise campaigns -- or tax incentives and zoning changes that ultimately bring healthier food choices into neighborhoods and schools. By working together to reduce epidemic levels of obesity and related conditions, we can lower healthcare costs, reduce government spending, strengthen local economies and improve lives."
Healthy Living event speakers include Director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ursula E. Bauer; Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown; Lincoln, Nebraska Mayor Chris Beutler; Gary, Indiana Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson; Nashville, Tennessee Mayor Karl Dean; Executive Director of the Trust for America's Health Jeff Levi; and a wide range of other public health experts. The complete event agenda is accessible here.
GOVERNING's Healthy Living event partners include the American Heart Association, the American Institute of Architects, Kaboom!, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the YMCA.
Event Details
GOVERNING Healthy Living Summit
December 11, 2012 | 8 am - 5 pm
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Press Badges: Contact Patty Cota | pcota@governing.com | 916-932-1308
About GOVERNING
For 25 years, GOVERNING in the States and Localities has provided independent, nonpartisan coverage of state and local government. GOVERNING is a division of e.Republic, a national publishing, event and research company focused on smart media for public sector innovation.