The Partners for a Healthier Community Design Team group met on June 22, 2016 in the HealthFirst Community Room to review progress during the second year of the 2014-2016 Action Plan. The group reviewed the 61 goals in the Action Plan using the the eight factors that affect population health status, including 1) Diet & Exercise, 2) Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drug Use Prevention, 3) Sexual Activity & Infectious Diseases, 4) Access to Dental, Health, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Care, 5) Education, Employment, Income & Disability, 6) Community Safety and Violence Prevention, 7) Family, Cultural and Social Support, and Housing, and 8) Environment and Infrastructure. A summary of the highlights of the past year will be presented to Fall River City Councilors, to the Mayor's Office, and to the Legislative Delegation, presented in a cable television show, and submitted to the Herald News to increase awareness of the ongoing health promotion efforts. Click here for a pdf copy of the updated Action Plan and here for the 2016 Action Plan Summary. To learn more about Partners' work, contact Executive Director Dr. David Weed at 508-837-9029.

(Top row, left) School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard and Community Outreach Manger Jack Shipley listen to Worksite Wellness Coordinator Angela Bras and City Grantwriter Jane Dibiasio and Marcia talks with Partners Steering Committee Secretary Wendy Garf-Lipp. (Row two) Tobacco Inspector Sarah Leroux talks with Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge before commenting to the group on tobacco control and education efforts over the past year. (Row three, center) Angie, Jane and Wendy listen as Executive Director David Weed, center, moves the group through a review of the 51-page Action Plan 2016. (Bottom row) Substance Abuse Task Force co-chairs Stephanie Perry and Rachel Davis report on progress in that area while Jack, Angie, Jane, Wendy and Coalition Vice-Chair Tracy Ibbotson applaud  Mass in Motion Fall River Coordinator Julianne Kelly for her work on infrastructure development, including the Alfred J. Lima Quequechan River Trail and the 1422 Project.