Boston Joins WHO Ambassador Michael R. Bloomberg in the Partnership for Healthy Cities, Moves to Strengthen Safe Routes to School

Boston Joins WHO Ambassador Michael R. Bloomberg in the Partnership for Healthy Cities, Moves to Strengthen Safe Routes to School

BPHC commits to international effort to reduce noncommunicable diseases and injuries through the Safe Routes to School program

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 16, 2017 - The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) announced today that Boston has joined a worldwide effort to build healthier cities by pursuing an evidence-based approach to reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries by 2018.  As a participant in the Partnership for Healthy Cities, Boston will be strengthening its commitment to take proven steps to reduce risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and injuries, by focusing on the Safe Routes to School program that encourages students to walk, bike or take public transportation to school.  "Working to allow Boston's children to live happy, active and healthy lives is a top priority," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We want to give more students the opportunity to safely walk to school and reap important health benefits. I'm pleased to join Mayor Bloomberg in this global effort to create these safe environments for our kids, and view this as another opportunity for Boston to lead by example."  NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, include asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and obesity. NCDs and injuries from road traffic crashes are leading causes of death globally, accounting for up to 44 million annual deaths. City health departments are uniquely positioned to transform the fight against diseases and injuries by implementing policies to significantly reduce exposure to risk factors.  "We are excited to work with Bloomberg Philanthropies to increase students' active transportation through our Safe Routes to School program," said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, JD, MPH. "This program can address both goals of the Partnerships for Healthy Cities by helping students be more physically active, and also improving pedestrian safety in students' daily commutes. We look forward to collaborating with other city health departments to improve the lives of our residents." In his role as World Health Organization (WHO) Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is engaging city leaders to beat NCDs and injuries with smart, proven policies that will advance health and strengthen economies.  "Injuries and noncommunicable diseases are responsible for eight in 10 deaths globally, but small changes at community levels can save many of those lives," Bloomberg said. "The Partnership for Healthy Cities brings immediate support to cities whose mayors are committed to healthier lives for their citizens and to leading the charge globally to reduce NCDs and injuries. The actions of these mayors can prevent millions of needless deaths and protect the health of generations to come."  Over the next 18 months, Boston will work with Bloomberg Philanthropies and its implementation partners to enhance and build on the Safe Routes to School program. Safe Routes to School is a partnership among the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Public Schools, Boston Transportation Department, and other city agencies to increase the number of students in grades K-8, who regurlaly walk, bike or take public transportation to school.