As emphasized in the annual “F as in Fat” report by the Trust for America’s Health, and also noted by the Press Herald in its Sept. 20 editorial (Our View, “Obesity epidemic calls for supersize solution”), “obesity is a problem for the entire society and treating it like it’s all individual choice will not solve it.”

It’s clear that the private sector plays an important role in prompting change for its own, long-term good. A 2010 survey of 17 large companies in Maine by the Hanley Center for Health Leadership predicts a sobering economic battle unless health trends improve.

Additional Photos

Students choose from bins of low-fat milk at Brown Elementary School in South Portland. The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation is providing training to 178 Maine schools to improve school menus, the foundation’s director says. 2000 File Photo/John Patriquin

That’s why the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation is working with MaineHealth to change the attitudes and behavior of today’s kids – our next generation of workers. Together we’re changing the environments where they learn and grow.

As a consequence of the chronic illnesses – diabetes, heart disease – that result from obesity, the companies in the Hanley Center’s survey incurred an estimated 8,477 lost work days, which they estimate will increase to 14,367 in 2018.

But we know that childhood obesity – which will directly affect the next generation of employees – can be solved in part by making the healthiest snack and activity choices the easiest choices for kids.

The foundation is investing more than $4 million into proven regional programs like Let’s Go! where children in schools, child care centers and doctors’ offices live the message of “5-2-1-0” (5 fruits and veggies, 2 hours or less of screen time, 1 hour of physical activity and 0 sugary drinks each day).

We have also provided tools and training to 178 Maine schools to improve school menus on a budget of about $1 a student, and supported their applications to the national HealthierUSA School Challenge.

Over time, healthier food choices and physical activity will become the norm, improving both health and the bottom line.

Karen Voci

executive director Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation

Wellesley, Mass.

Ensure safe drinking water by supporting Question 5

Voting “yes” on Question 5 in November will create jobs, improve the quality of drinking water and protect our environment.

Maine is blessed with abundant and high-quality drinking water supplies. These resources are well managed by a network of independent water utilities around the state, some for more than a century.

Safe drinking water is ensured by a thorough system of laws and regulations. In Maine these rules are administered by the Maine Drinking Water Program, a highly functional group whose mission is to “work together for safe drinking water.”

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, administered by the Drinking Water Program, and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection, were created by the federal government to provide affordable funding for public health and water quality improvement projects. Since 1997, the revolving fund has invested $179 million in Maine public water systems.

In order to qualify for the federal funds, Maine must provide a 20 percent match annually. Question 5 on the Nov. 6 ballot provides the 20 percent match for the Drinking Water and Clean Water state revolving funds for two years.

This $7.9 million bond referendum, if approved, will allow Maine to access nearly $40 million in federal matching funds. Funds for capital upgrades will be available to water and wastewater systems at a reduced interest rate.

If the match is not approved, the federal dollars will be forfeited and local ratepayers and taxpayers will need to pay the higher cost of conventional loans.

The infrastructure projects that are supported by this funding mechanism ensure safe drinking water and the protection of public health and the environment. Additionally, these funds provide jobs for Maine people.

Tom Brennan

chairman Maine Public Drinking Water Commission

Yarmouth

As message to Augusta, ‘vote’ by avoiding turnpike

This year I’m voting on Nov. 1, and not with a ballot but with a $1 bill.

The Maine Turnpike Authority has run out of money through poor administration. They have decided to pass that cost on to us by increasing tolls and eliminating the commuter pass. Evidently Augusta agrees.

I have decided to pass this cost back to them. Bureaucratic agencies tend toward mediocrity and mismanagement because they are not directly accountable to those they are tasked to serve but to the legislatures that create them and the taxes that pay for them.

It is important that the Maine Turnpike Authority understand that as a Maine resident, I still have a vote to cast. I will do it with a $1 bill. That will be the $1 bill I will not spend on the Maine Turnpike on Nov. 1. In fact I will be voting five times that day, and you can, too.

On Nov. 1, let’s all vote and send a message to Augusta. Make your vote count. Find another way home.

Daniel Mercer

Scarborough

Neighborhood panel weighs how to help out Hill seniors

As Maine’s senior population continues to grow, individuals in communities across the state are mobilizing to support their elder neighbors. In our own Munjoy Hill neighborhood, we see a growing number of our residents who are struggling to remain at home and connected to their community.

The Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Association has formed a committee to identify how the idea of a “neighbors helping neighbors” program could best support aging residents who desire to continue to live on the Hill.

On Oct. 13, we are holding focus groups for neighborhood seniors and their caregivers to draw on their knowledge and experiences and to find out what matters most to them, what their biggest concerns are and how the neighborhood can help.

The caregivers’ focus group will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and the seniors’ focus group will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m., both at the Hill House, 92 Congress St. We hope that folks will attend and share their thoughts with us.

To find out more or let us know you’d like to participate, please call 775-3050 or contact us at info@munjoyhill.org.

Elaine Mullin

board member, Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Association

Portland

Related Stories