August 16, 2011

Mayor Emanuel and Chicago Department of Health Commissioner Bechara Choucair Unveil First-ever Public Health Agenda for Chicago to Improve Health of City

Healthy Chicago Spurs Community Call to Action, Identifies 12 Priority Areas

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D., today unveiled the City of Chicago's Public Health Agenda entitled “Healthy Chicago.”

“Strong public health is critical to quality of life of residents 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-ever comprehensive plan for public health put forth by the City.

Mayor Emanuel originally called for the formation of an agenda during his transition report and Healthy Chicago will serve as a blueprint for a focused approach by CDPH to implement policies and systems changes to prioritize and transform the health of the city over the next five years.

“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.”

Recognizing that public health is impacted by a variety of social and environmental influences, CDPH has committed to working with faith, education, and business communities; and a variety of health partners to address the 12 priority areas outlined in the agenda:

  • Tobacco Use
  • Obesity Prevention
  • HIV Prevention
  • Adolescent Health
  • Cancer Disparities
  • Heart Disease and Stroke
  • Access to Health Care
  • Healthy Mothers and Babies
  • Communicable Disease Control and Prevention
  • Healthy Homes
  • Violence Prevention
  • Public Health Infrastructure

Already as part of the public health agenda, the Emanuel Administration has been working tirelessly to address the issue of food deserts throughout the city. With the goal of reducing the number of food deserts to half by the end of his first term, Mayor Emanuel has convened a summit with executives of six major groceries stores to spur development in targeted areas, and amended the Municipal Code to encourage urban agriculture to foster community development and job creation.

For more information about CDPH's Healthy Chicago Public Health Agenda, visit www.cityofchicago.org/publichealth.

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