Every Kid Healthy™ Week is an annual observance designed to celebrate schools’ wellness achievements. Observed the last week of April each year, this special week, which is recognized on the calendar of National Health Observances, shines a spotlight on the obesity epidemic affecting our children and provides an opportunity for everyone in the country to get involved in its solutions: sound nutrition, regular physical activity and health-promoting school programs. Check out our EKH Week page for all the info, including helpful planning resources and tips. If your organization is willing to be a partner and help promote EKHW, please contact Grace.

Alabama Action for Healthy Kids wants to assist schools with their Every Kid Healthy Week celebrations. We are providing mini grants to selected schools ranging from $100-$300 depending on the size and scope of the event. Please contact Grace to request an application or for additional info. Applications are due by Wednesday, March 14th.

Anyone who has had heart surgery or attended cardiac rehab, their loved ones, and EAMC staff who supported and cared for them were welcome to attend. Laura Eason, EAMC Pastoral Care Manager, was the speaker and lead a panel discussion on "The Greatest Gift: Making Personal Healthcare Decisions."

This event took place on February 6 from 1:00-3:00 pm at the East Alabama Medical Center Education Center at 2027 Pepperell Pkwy. Opelika, AL 36801.

Check out the Facebook page for more information!

Scale Back Alabama is underway for the 12th consecutive year!

Scale Back Alabama (SBA) is a free statewide weight-loss program designed to encourage Alabamians to get healthy and to have fun while doing it. Since the first competition in 2007, Alabamians have lost more than one million pounds!

Weigh in week was January 22-28 and we are now encouraging everyone to continue with their weight loss journey through the next 9 weeks. Weekly weigh-ins are optional, but don't forget to weigh in the last week, April 2-8 to be eligible for prizes.

Check out the App Scale Back Alabama for continued guidance and success even after the competition.

Click here for a link to the website for more information.

The 100 Alabama Miles Challenge is a statewide program that will inspire all Alabamians to run, walk, hike, bike, ride, roll, paddle, or swim 100 miles each year and to do so by visiting Alabama’s wonderful parks, nature preserves, and rivers. Participants will register on the website and log their activity, mileage, and places that they visit, and by doing so, they can track their progress, earn electronic milestone badges, and even compete with friends, family, and colleagues. Through a vigorous public awareness and engagement campaign each spring that will involve media blitz, celebrity spokespeople, and community kick-off events throughout the state, we will engage and excite the public to be active, go explore, and connect with others. Through the Challenge, Alabamians of all ages and abilities can enjoy healthier and happier lives. Coming Spring 2018!

In lieu of our regional meetings, VOICES is hosting a state-wide conference to provide training and insight to empower advocates to use their voice to make change during the 2018 election year. This event provides a comprehensive, engaging environment to ensure individuals and organizations walk away with actionable skills and a depth of knowledge to improve outcomes in Alabama. Learn how to amplify your voice with legal expert Allen Mattison, who will explain the dos and don'ts for non-profits doing legislative and electoral work. Registration for this FREE event will begin mid-February.

You can register here!

The Alabama State Collaborative Workshop on Walkable Communities brought together government agencies and private-sector stakeholders to start a long-term collaborative planning process for increasing walking and expanding walkable communities in Alabama. This report summarizes the Workshop, held June 16th, 2017 in Montgomery, and provides recommendations for next steps towards increasing walking and expanding walkable communities in Alabama.

If you have news, events, or activities that you would like to share, please send the information to Lita Chatham to be included in future Obesity Task Force Newsletters.