DPH hosts second annual Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference in Dover

DOVER, Del. – Maintaining healthy lifestyles was the conversation on campus at Delaware State University on Thursday. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) held its second annual Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference.

Improving Health Equity

The conference was made possible by DPH’s Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention (PANO) Program.

This year’s theme was Engaging Communities to Live Healthy Lifestyles. The event offered a full day of education, discussion, and networking. The big focus: planning for the best practices when it comes to improving health equity statewide.

“It’s really all about increasing awareness,” said DPH Section Chief Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Helen Arthur. “It is about mental health and wellness, and it is about community engagement, as we all work to do our part to improve health outcomes in the space of physical activity, nutrition, and obesity prevention.”

Focusing on Vulnerable Communities

In Delaware, 37.9% of adults are obese. Of that population, 35% is white, and 49.2% are Black. That’s why the mission to spread a message of health to every Delawarean, is so crucial, says Arthur.

“So, there is a lot of work that we need to do to achieve health equity, and improve these long-term outcomes for our Black and brown communities,” Arthur said.

Special Speaker, Milestone Made

The day included a very special guest keynote speaker. Six-time Olympic track and field champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee shared her own life experiences with staying active, and why doing so set her up for success.

DPH also celebrated a major milestone for the PANO Program. Since being launched less than a year ago, the group’s Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Coalition has grown to include 47 members and seven committees.