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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Home | About Us | Site Map | Topic Index | Contact Us |
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Active
Cities Contest...
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First
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Loja, Ecuador
First place goes to the city of Loja, Ecuador. With a strong interest in preserving their natural environment in harmony with the city, Loja is committed to promoting a healthy environment and opportunities for an active life style. Their efforts also encompass a strong recycling initiative. |
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Second
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Surco, Lima, Peru
Second place goes to the district of Surco, Lima, Peru. An outstanding feature is the expansion and preservation of green areas by recovering water from the Rio Surco. In addition, physical activity promotion places special emphasis on diverse sports initiatives. |
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Third
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Balcarce, Argentina
Third place goes to the city of Balcarce, Argentina. The city has successfully engaged in conservation of green areas, with reforestation initiatives and a pedestrian friendly community. |
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| Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
One award is presented in this category and goes to the City of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Surrey has presented an exceptionally well-documented entry that emphasized the protection of open areas for recreation as well as diverse programs for promoting physical activity. |
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PAHO and CDC would also like to recognize the following cities for their outstanding exemplary achievements in specific areas.
City of Manizales, Colombia: For their exceptional physical activity promotion initiatives focusing upon the lifespan.
La Habana Vieja, Cuba: For their beautifully preserved colonial architecture and a pedestrian friendly downtown area.
City of Eugene, Oregon, USA: For their preservation of green areas in a pedestrian friendly city.
Lo Barnechea, Chile: For their preservation of green areas for recreation and good blend of lifestyle and sports oriented physical activity promotion efforts.
During the opening ceremony at the Health Promotion Forum in the Americas held in Santiago, Chile, on October 20–24, 2002, Sir George Alleyne, director of the Pan American Health Organization, and Dr. David McQueen, associate director of Global Heath Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, presented the awards to the four winning cities of the Active Cities Contest, recognizing their outstanding achievements in promoting the health of their cities through their dedication, collaboration, and unique approaches to challenges.
| Click the images below to see the full-size picture. | |
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PAHO and CDC received 142 qualified applications for the Active Cities Contest! Of those, 136 are from Central and South American countries—municipalities located in both urban metropolitan areas and the rural regions.
All completed applications were entered into an EpiInfo6 database. All variables were coded and assigned a numeric value based upon a point system developed by The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. Based on the points accrued, applications that scored in the top third (n=51), were individually reviewed by the Pre-Selection Committee from the PAHO Food and Nutrition Program and the CDC. This process allowed for careful examination of supporting documents (e.g., documentation on characteristics of roadways, bike paths, sidewalks, recreational greens, sport facilities.) and follow-up contact with applicants for further clarifications, as necessary.
Guided by the results of the preliminary quantitative and qualitative review process, the winners of the contest will be selected by the selection committee, consisting of the following members:
Dr. David McQueen, Associate Director of Global Health, CDC
Dr. David Brandling-Bennett, Deputy Director, PAHO
Dr. Maria Teresa Cerqueira, Director of the Division of Health Promotion
and Protection, PAHO
Professor Thomas Downs, Director, Smart Growth, University of Maryland
In celebration of the World Health Day 2002: "Move for Health!" which is dedicated to promoting Physical Activity, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cosponsored an award to recognize cities in the region of the Americas for their outstanding efforts in improving public spaces for safe recreation and promoting physical activity.
Although the health benefits of physical activity are well known, two of every three persons living in an urban area lead a sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity is a serious public health problem that results in adverse health outcomes and increased health care costs. In addition to the need for lifestyle modification, PAHO and CDC recognize the need for environmental, social, and policy changes to increase physical activity in the population. Such changes include providing people with greater access to public spaces for safe recreation and activity has been shown to increase the percentage of the population with a physically active lifestyle.
PAHO and CDC are grateful for the support of Agita Sao Paulo, Brazil; the Public Health Technology Assessment Center in Cali, Colombia (CEDETES); and Vida Chile, the National Council for Health Promotion in Chile.
Official
Selection Committee Announcement (1.7Mb-PDF).*
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*Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.
