The way we design neighborhoods can help – or hurt – our health. The location of our homes and businesses, the quality of sidewalks and streets, community programs and public safety – all can influence health and quality of life issues from access to healthy food to strong connections with neighbors. Understanding this, the Conservation […]
Continue reading...This Sunday, July 14 we’re launching our Boston Green Map website & app at Circle the City on Avenue of the Arts. Will you join us?? Boston Green Map is a web application that allows users to locate all of the green spaces and recreational activities in any neighborhood, including parks, community gardens, playing fields, swimming pools […]
Continue reading...In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), MAPC awarded wellness “mini-grants” to municipalities within Middlesex County that do not currently receive Mass in Motion funding from MDPH. These grants will go towards projects that advance our goals for increasing opportunities for physical activity in communities; providing more smoke-free housing; and increasing options for healthy foods. For […]
Continue reading...Nature lovers, walkers, bird watchers, and cyclists should rejoice today–the first piece of more than 40 miles of inactive Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) aqueduct trails were opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Weston Aqueduct in Framingham this morning. “No trespassing” signs went down, and brand new aqueduct trail signs went up in their place to mark […]
Continue reading...Will encouraging helmet use simultaneously discourage people from riding their bikes in the city? Two public health concerns – obesity and accident prevention – run the risk of being at odds with each other when it comes to promoting bicycling safety. Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has been criticized after launching a new helmet safety campaign that […]
Continue reading...A few weeks ago, Somerville teenagers got the chance to make their voices heard through the art of photography, documenting scenes ranging from a crumbling “Brick Wall to Nothing” to the “First Breath” of a newborn baby, as personal reflections on their neighborhoods and the concept of safety. Each photo was accompanied by a personal […]
Continue reading...MAPC staff members periodically take a portion of a day to participate in a company-wide team-building exercise, with the purpose of learning something new about our region. The most recent outing took place last month at the Waterworks Museum in Chestnut Hill. This one year old museum is housed in the original, visually striking Chestnut […]
Continue reading...Yesterday, MAPC released the results of our health impacts assessment of proposed MBTA fare increases and service cuts in the Healthy T for a Healthy Region (PDF) report at a State House press conference. Just last week, Atlantic Cities wrote about the importance of considering the public health impacts of planning projects: “By the time policymakers rouse support, […]
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