Ridge Administration Kicks Off Public Health Week Events

    HARRISBURG, Pa., April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of Pennsylvania Gov.
 Tom Ridge, Secretary of Health Robert S. Zimmerman Jr. today kicked off Public
 Health Week.  Events will take place today through Friday, April 6.
     "This special week gives us the opportunity to highlight the importance of
 living a healthy lifestyle -- and to tell Pennsylvanians about the many
 resources offered by their state Department of Health," Secretary Zimmerman
 said.
     Kick-off activities took place today in the East Wing Rotunda of the state
 Capitol Complex.  Department of Health officials were joined by
 representatives from organizations such as the Pennsylvania DUI Association;
 State Police; SADD; the Liquor Control Board; the National Guard; KIDco/TADco
 Inc.; Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Programs; Tri-County Tobacco-Free
 Coalition; K-Mart Kids Race Against Drugs; and Communities That Care.
     The following Public Health Week events will take place in the Capitol
 Rotunda this week:
 
     -- Tuesday, April 3 -- From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Bureau of
 Community Health Systems will encourage visitors to spin the "Health
 Disparities Wheel" to begin discussions on how to eliminate health disparities
 in these six areas:  income and education; gender; race and ethnicity;
 geographic location; sexual orientation; and physical disabilities;
     -- Wednesday, April 4 -- Pennsylvania Physician General Dr.
 Robert Muscalus will describe his "Prescription for a Healthy Pennsylvania":
 engage in moderate physical activity regularly; consume at least five
 vegetables daily; avoid tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol; and get properly
 immunized.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Bureau of Chronic Diseases and Injury
 Prevention will provide interactive computer games and quizzes based on the
 Department of Health's website.  The Bureau of Laboratories will administer
 free glucose and cholesterol screenings;
     -- Thursday, April 5 -- The Bureau of Communicable Diseases will
 provide a "treasure map to better health" -- questions that lead participants
 to display areas for educational material on various health topics.  Prizes
 will go to those who complete the entire map.  The Bureau of Quality Assurance
 also will provide educational information.  These activities will take place
 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and
     -- Friday, April 6 -- The theme "Creating Healthier Families in
 Pennsylvania" is sponsored by the bureaus of Family Health and Health Planning
 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.  The Bureau of Family Health will provide
 activities and educational materials on family health issues such as lead
 poisoning, including a program called "Stomp the Lead Out;" the Special Kids
 Network; and the importance of folic acid for a healthy pregnancy.
 
     The Bureau of Health Planning will provide information on improving access
 to primary care.
     Other health-promotion activities will take place statewide at health
 district offices, state health centers, county/municipal health departments,
 and Women, Infants and Children offices.
     For more information about Public Health Week activities, call
 1-877-PA-HEALTH or access the department's website through the PA PowerPort at
 www.state.pa.us or directly at www.health.state.pa.us.
 
     CONTACT:  Amy Zuccolotto of the Pennsylvania Department of Health,
 717-787-1783.
 
 

SOURCE  Pennsylvania Department of Health

    HARRISBURG, Pa., April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of Pennsylvania Gov.
 Tom Ridge, Secretary of Health Robert S. Zimmerman Jr. today kicked off Public
 Health Week.  Events will take place today through Friday, April 6.
     "This special week gives us the opportunity to highlight the importance of
 living a healthy lifestyle -- and to tell Pennsylvanians about the many
 resources offered by their state Department of Health," Secretary Zimmerman
 said.
     Kick-off activities took place today in the East Wing Rotunda of the state
 Capitol Complex.  Department of Health officials were joined by
 representatives from organizations such as the Pennsylvania DUI Association;
 State Police; SADD; the Liquor Control Board; the National Guard; KIDco/TADco
 Inc.; Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Programs; Tri-County Tobacco-Free
 Coalition; K-Mart Kids Race Against Drugs; and Communities That Care.
     The following Public Health Week events will take place in the Capitol
 Rotunda this week:
 
     -- Tuesday, April 3 -- From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Bureau of
 Community Health Systems will encourage visitors to spin the "Health
 Disparities Wheel" to begin discussions on how to eliminate health disparities
 in these six areas:  income and education; gender; race and ethnicity;
 geographic location; sexual orientation; and physical disabilities;
     -- Wednesday, April 4 -- Pennsylvania Physician General Dr.
 Robert Muscalus will describe his "Prescription for a Healthy Pennsylvania":
 engage in moderate physical activity regularly; consume at least five
 vegetables daily; avoid tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol; and get properly
 immunized.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Bureau of Chronic Diseases and Injury
 Prevention will provide interactive computer games and quizzes based on the
 Department of Health's website.  The Bureau of Laboratories will administer
 free glucose and cholesterol screenings;
     -- Thursday, April 5 -- The Bureau of Communicable Diseases will
 provide a "treasure map to better health" -- questions that lead participants
 to display areas for educational material on various health topics.  Prizes
 will go to those who complete the entire map.  The Bureau of Quality Assurance
 also will provide educational information.  These activities will take place
 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and
     -- Friday, April 6 -- The theme "Creating Healthier Families in
 Pennsylvania" is sponsored by the bureaus of Family Health and Health Planning
 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.  The Bureau of Family Health will provide
 activities and educational materials on family health issues such as lead
 poisoning, including a program called "Stomp the Lead Out;" the Special Kids
 Network; and the importance of folic acid for a healthy pregnancy.
 
     The Bureau of Health Planning will provide information on improving access
 to primary care.
     Other health-promotion activities will take place statewide at health
 district offices, state health centers, county/municipal health departments,
 and Women, Infants and Children offices.
     For more information about Public Health Week activities, call
 1-877-PA-HEALTH or access the department's website through the PA PowerPort at
 www.state.pa.us or directly at www.health.state.pa.us.
 
     CONTACT:  Amy Zuccolotto of the Pennsylvania Department of Health,
 717-787-1783.
 
 SOURCE  Pennsylvania Department of Health