Several people representing the Fall River Mass in Motion initiative joined about 75 others from Southeastern Massachusetts communities involved in similar programs at the first Action Institute held in Hyannis on February 28, 2012. The program provided an opportunity to share information from federal and state leaders on the new Community Transformation grants and to develop multi-sector teams to work on policy, systems and environmental change approaches. The program began with a presentation on ways of developing a healthy equity framework for Mass In Motion work by Amanda Navarro, Associate Director of PolicyLiink,  Other speakers included Mark Fenton of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University talking about the effect of the built environment and Chris Banthin of the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University talking about smoke-free housing. The program offered several opportunities for teams to discuss way of implementing the ideas presented by the speakers. Click here for a 52-minute video of the Institute. For more information about Mass In Motion in Fall River, contact Mass In Motion coordinator Julie Kelly at 508-324-2411. 

(Top row, left) Acting Director of the Division of Prevention and Wellness at MDPH Lea Susan Ojamaa talks with Judy Foley of Health Resources in Action before the event. (Top row, center) Director of the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention Cheryl Bartlett responds to Keynote speaker Amanda Navarro, Associate Director of PolicyLiink, as she addresses health equity. (Row two, left) Mark Fenton of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University talks about the effect of the built environment on the obesity epidemic. (Row two, center) Fall River Mass In Motion Coordinator Julianne Kelly, Fall River School Wellness Coordinator and Worksite Wellness Coordinator Angela Bannister enjoy a laugh during a break. (Row two, right) Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA Wellness Program Development Director Amy O'Neil talks about how the work of Mass In Motion fits with current medical practice. (Row three) Valerie Sullivan of the Weymouth Mass In Motion Coalition and Pauline Hamel of the New Bedford Mass In Motion Coalition talk about their healthy dining programs following a presentation by Tobacco Control Resource Center Director Chris Banthin. (Bottom row, center) VOICES for a Healthy Southcoast co-coach Nancy Bonell listens as Martha Gonzalez of the New Bedford Community Health Center makes a point during the group discussion. (Bottom row, right) Mass Public Health Association executive director Valerie Bassett makes some suggestions for moving some policy changes forward in the Commonwealth.