By: Ashmar Mandou

Residents of the Humboldt Park community convened at the Humboldt Park Teen Fitness Center Tuesday morning, to witness the unveiling of the City of Chicago’s Public Health Agenda entitled “Healthy Chicago” alongside Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D. “Strong public health is critical to quality of life of resident across Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This agenda addresses the real health concerns facing our city so we can make Chicago a healthier place with healthy neighborhoods, people and homes.”

“Healthy Chicago” is the first comprehensive plan for public health put forth by the city and identifies 12 ‘priority areas,’ one of them being Humboldt Park, in which the obesity rate has increased. “Healthy Chicago” is designed to serve as a framework for a comprehensive approach to how the Chicago Department of Public Health will work with partners to improve the health of Chicagoans. “We have seen dramatic improvements in many areas but it’s only the beginning,” said Commissioner Choucair. “This agenda is an aggressive call to action – and we are already working with City departments and agencies, healthcare providers and community organizations to realize our vision for a Healthy Chicago.” Part of the “Healthy Chicago” Agenda includes:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel visits with families at the Humboldt Park Teen Fitness Center on Tuesday morning to discuss his plans for moving Chicagoans towards a healthy direction.

Obesity Prevention: Prevent and control overweight, obesity and related chronic disease.

HIV Prevention: Prevent human immunodeficiency virus infection and its related illness and death.

Adolescent Health: Improve the health, safety and well-being of adolescent.

Cancer Disparities: Eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer.

Heart Disease & Stroke: Improve cardiovascular health and quality of life through prevention, detection and reduction of risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

Access to Care: Increase access to primary care and mental health services among the currently uninsured.

Healthy Mothers and Babies: Improve the health and well-being of mothers and infants.

Communicable Disease Control & Prevention: Reduce morbidity and mortality related to communicable diseases.

Healthy Homes: Improve the health and well-being of all Chicagoans by creating safer and healthier homes.

Violence Prevention: Increase the quality and years of healthy living by reducing and preventing exposure to violence in the home and community, and addressing bullying among adolescents.

Public Health Infrastructure: Ensure that Chicago has the necessary infrastructure to effectively provide essential public health services.