"Make Healthy Happen Miami" Event This Friday

(MIAMI) – From healthy vending machines in senior high schools and parks to increasing the number of bike lanes and racks in cities throughout Miami-Dade, an initiative which presents healthy options in an effort to prevent and reduce illness from obesity is gaining ground.

This Friday the Miami-Dade County Health Department will host an event to showcase the local work being done to combat obesity through the national Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW). The initiative, known locally as Make Healthy Happen Miami, is working to improve nutritional options and increase physical activity in the community and collaborating with local partners to prevent and reduce illnesses from obesity.

The showcase event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be held at the Sofitel Hotel at 5800 Blue Lagoon Drive in Miami.

At the event, participants will be able to talk with members of the CPPW Leadership Team about efforts being taken to fight obesity. Florida Senator Rene Garcia, County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, Health Department Administrator Dr. Lillian Rivera and Ann-Karen Weller, Director of the county's Office of Community Health & Planning, are scheduled to speak.

According to the CPPW, Make Healthy Happen Miami's main objective is to "empower residents to bring about change in their communities, transform behavior leading to chronic disease, and inspire residents to improve their nutritional habits, decrease screen time, and increase physical activity."

In addition to offering healthy eating options and improving physical activity in schools, the "Make Healthy Happen" initiatives also address child care centers, access to healthy foods in convenience stores, farmer's markets, breastfeeding practices and active transportation and recreation.