Creating healthier places and healthier lives

Chronic diseases are among the most common and costly of all health problems in the nation, but they also are among the most preventable. Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity—the two modifiable risk factors for obesity—and tobacco use are responsible for much of the illness and death related to chronic diseases. To help address these challenges, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW)— a locally driven initiative supporting 50 communities over two years to tackle obesity and tobacco use.

Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Creating Healthier Places and Healthier Lives” was designed to inspire CPPW grantees to reinvigorate their efforts to tackle obesity and tobacco use in their communities. Debuted at the first annual CPPW grantees' meeting, the film celebrates the accomplishments of three model CPPW communities: Santa Monica, California; Austin, Texas; and Cincinnati, Ohio.

The narrator introduces the film by encouraging viewers to imagine a community where healthy places make it possible for all residents to live healthier lives. The film transitions to community leaders who are putting this into practice, including the following: • Mayor Richard Bloom shares his efforts to create an environment in which Santa Monica residents are not exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke. • Lauren Niemes, Nutrition Council Executive Director, explains how Cincinnati public school students are gaining access to healthier foods. • Ohio State Senator Eric H. Kearney discusses how new opportunities for physical activity are helping combat childhood obesity. • Linda Watson, CEO of Austin's transit system, describes how she is helping make the metro system smoke-free. The narrator concludes the film, reminding viewers that when we create healthier places for Americans to live, work, learn, and play what we are really creating are healthier lives.