We haven't seen a shortage of discussion and awareness of the problems our community has in terms of health status. It has become a vernacular that many of us has become too accustomed to understanding: cancer, obesity, overweight, heart disease, and the litany of terms and terminology goes on. Our community and our state are particularly very very unhealthy.
We have done a good job of documenting it locally, from the All is Not Well research report commissioned by the Public Life Foundation to the GRADD Health Report Card completed by the GRADD Health Council, we know we are unhealthy. Contrary to people's wishes, we are not unhealthy by chance. It has a whole lot to do with what we choose to do, or not to do that makes us healthy or unhealthy.
At the same time, we have made strides in affecting this crisis situation in our community. American Council for Fitness and Nutrition Chairperson Susan Finn's comments echo the successes that we have had. We also continue to see some degree of movement on the state front, as is indicated by how elected officials were cited in the Messenger Inquirer of the need for healthy lifestyles.
At the beginning of 2005, we will have yet another opportunity to change our community for the better. Stay tuned for more from the City Connections bikepaths initiative that soon will pick up steam.
Want to be part of the solution? Get up to speed and get an idea of what the City Connections committee has been working on by going here. Then, stay tuned and let the community leaders know where you stand on improving the health status of our citizens with the assistance of a community that provides opportunities for citizens to improve their health and lifestyle.
Monday, November 29, 2004
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Chronicle of Higher Education: Scholars Who Blog
I've decided to post this article specifically for those educators or like-minded individuals who are visiting this blog to consider the notion of blogs, blogging, and bloggers. In short, can we dare not to capture our scholarly, personal, and community histories? Enjoy...
Scholars Who Blog
The soapbox of the digital age draws a crowd of academics
By DAVID GLENN
Is this a revolution in academic discourse, or is it CB radio?
In one form or another, that question inevitably arises in conversations with scholars who have taken up the habit of writing Web logs, or "blogs." Some have started blogging in order to muse aloud about their research. Others want to polish their chops at opinion-writing for nonacademic audiences. Still others have more urgent and personal reasons. ("The black dogs of depression are snarling at my feet," reads the first entry of one scholar's blog.) Click here to read more...
Scholars Who Blog
The soapbox of the digital age draws a crowd of academics
By DAVID GLENN
Is this a revolution in academic discourse, or is it CB radio?
In one form or another, that question inevitably arises in conversations with scholars who have taken up the habit of writing Web logs, or "blogs." Some have started blogging in order to muse aloud about their research. Others want to polish their chops at opinion-writing for nonacademic audiences. Still others have more urgent and personal reasons. ("The black dogs of depression are snarling at my feet," reads the first entry of one scholar's blog.) Click here to read more...
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Public Life Advocate: The Tracker
Data of Interest
Compiled by Chad M. Gesser
* Finland, Denmark, and Sweden are among the nations perceived to have the most dependable public officials in the world. The United States is tied for 17th.
* 84 percent of Americans believe the Iraqi people will be better off without Saddam Hussein.
* 70 percent of Jordanians believe the Iraqi people will be worse off without Saddam Hussein.
* Holding a favorable image of the United States has plummeted 40 percent from 1999-2004 amongst residents in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Russia, and Turkey.
* 58 percent of Americans believe that community problems are too big for individuals to solve alone.
* 90 percent of United States citizens say that working with others to solve problems takes more time but gets better results in the long run.
* 74 percent of United States citizens view the quality of life in their community as excellent or good. However, whites are twice as likely as African-Americans to view their community as offering an excellent quality of life.
* 40 percent of working adults (54 million Americans) say they have gotten together with co-workers to sponsor a food-drive, walk-a-thon, or other type of community activity in the past 12 months.
* 87 percent of Republicans believe George W. Bush is a uniter.
* 81 percent of Democrats believe George W. Bush is a divider.
To read the hard copy of The Tracker, visit the Public Life Foundation and the Public Life Advocate.
Compiled by Chad M. Gesser
* Finland, Denmark, and Sweden are among the nations perceived to have the most dependable public officials in the world. The United States is tied for 17th.
* 84 percent of Americans believe the Iraqi people will be better off without Saddam Hussein.
* 70 percent of Jordanians believe the Iraqi people will be worse off without Saddam Hussein.
* Holding a favorable image of the United States has plummeted 40 percent from 1999-2004 amongst residents in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Russia, and Turkey.
* 58 percent of Americans believe that community problems are too big for individuals to solve alone.
* 90 percent of United States citizens say that working with others to solve problems takes more time but gets better results in the long run.
* 74 percent of United States citizens view the quality of life in their community as excellent or good. However, whites are twice as likely as African-Americans to view their community as offering an excellent quality of life.
* 40 percent of working adults (54 million Americans) say they have gotten together with co-workers to sponsor a food-drive, walk-a-thon, or other type of community activity in the past 12 months.
* 87 percent of Republicans believe George W. Bush is a uniter.
* 81 percent of Democrats believe George W. Bush is a divider.
To read the hard copy of The Tracker, visit the Public Life Foundation and the Public Life Advocate.
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