BOSTON – The Boston Public Health Commission, in partnership with the East Boston Adult Education Coalition, the East Boston Neighborhood Against Substance Abuse (EBNASA), and the Boston Alliance for Community Health, is hosting a community dialogue on the health status of East Boston residents. The meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, November 17 at the Umana Middle School Academy cafeteria, 312 Border Street, East Boston.
The third in a series of 2010 health forums, the meeting is a platform for people living and working in East Boston to discuss health issues specific to their neighborhood. Participants will learn about the findings of the latest Health of Boston report, and will have the opportunity to discuss two key health issues affecting their neighborhood – substance abuse and obesity.
“This dialogue presents a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to brainstorm new ways to address health challenges,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “Everyone has a role to play in making our neighborhoods healthier.”
The Commission, the East Boston Adult Education Coalition, EBNASA, and the Boston Alliance for Community Health are working collaboratively with residents, businesses, community agencies, faith-based institutions, elected officials, and others to develop creative ideas that will help build a stronger, healthier East Boston.
“The impact these issues have on our community, which are by no means limited to East Boston, cannot be overlooked. I encourage all East Boston residents to attend this community dialogue to learn about these issues and how we – as a community – can work together to address them and make East Boston a healthier place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Andrew Kenneally, EBNASA coalition coordinator.
The event is free and open to the public. Dinner, childcare, and interpreter services (Spanish and Portuguese) will be provided at no charge. For more information, contact Pam Jones at 617-534-7195 or pjones@bphc.org or Andrew Kenneally at 617-635-5114 or akenneally@ebnasa.org.
