More than 300 Partners and Secretary Sebelius Attend Release of Healthy Chicago Annual Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Brian Richardson, brian.richardson@cityofchicago.org

CHICAGO - This morning, Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D. released the first Healthy Chicago Annual Report at a special event featuring more than 300 Healthy Chicago partners. U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke at the event.

"When we launched Healthy Chicago, our goal was to make Chicago the healthiest city in the country," Dr. Choucair said. "This report shows the enormous progress we have made toward reaching that goal."

Healthy Chicago is the ambitious, citywide public health agenda launched in August 2011 to improve the health and well-being of every Chicagoan in every neighborhood. The agenda prioritized 12 city-wide goals, outlining 193 actionable strategies to achieve those goals. The 36-page report details that of the 193 strategies, 45 percent have already been implemented and another 47 percent are currently in progress. The results from these strategies include improving bike lanes across the city, expanding oral health care for students and launching the successful PlayStreets initiative. In addition, it provides personal anecdotes for nearly every priority, showing the direct impact Healthy Chicago is having on residents.

"Chicago continues to lead the way with one of the most comprehensive, multi-faceted public health agendas in the country, creating healthier environments in which City employees and Chicagoans can make smart and healthy choices," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

"Our results can be seen and felt by every Chicagoan," Dr. Choucair continued. "Together with our partners we have improved city bike lanes, championed fresh produce carts in various neighborhoods, expanded access to oral health for our school children, distributed countless flu vaccines and more. We look forward to another great year as we move ever closer to making our great city even healthier."

The full report can be accessed online at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/healthychicago.html