For program info call 443-523-1700
Diabetes Prevention
Could you have prediabetes? Take the risk test today!
Diabetes Prevention Program
The National Diabetes Prevention Program returns to Somerset County this fall. The free program includes 16 weekly sessions followed by 6 months of follow-up sessions with a health coach. Successful participants can expect to lose at least 5% of their body weight and reduce their risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases. Learn how to eat better, plan healthy meals, increase physical activity and manage weight loss. Registration is required. The program begins January 2020. For a detailed flyer, click here or call 443.523.1700.
Helpful Links & Information About Diabetes Prevention
- CDC Information about Prediabetes and the risk
- What is Prediabetes and am I at risk? Find out by taking the Prediabetes Risk Assessment Today!
- Small Steps, Big Rewards
SCALE For Families
‘SCALE (Sustainable Change and Lifestyle Enhancement) for Families’ is our newest program for women and children. This free evidenced-based weight loss, nutrition, and physical activity program is for women ages 18 to 55, and their children ages 7 to 17. In a group setting, health coaches will guide participants through healthy eating and physical activity education and activities to achieve sustained weight loss and healthy lifestyle habits. The program will also include special group exercise, cooking demonstrations, grocery store tours, and more. The program starts in January 2020, and continue for 12-weeks until the first week of December. Sessions are offered in both Somerset and Wicomico counties. For all the details see this flyer and call 443.523.1700 to register for the Somerset County Program. For Wicomico county sessions, call 410.334.3480.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national movement focused on addressing safety concerns so that children can walk and bike safely to school. Whereas about half of all American children walked or biked to school in 1969, that number has fallen to less than 15%, according to current estimates. By implementing SRTS Programs, schools and communities can create safer streets, increase student physical activity and health, and improve academic achievement.
With technical assistance from America Walks, Somerset County Health Dept. is partnering with the Somerset County Schools and local agencies to coordinate walk-to-school events, traffic calming “pop-up” projects, a public participation survey, and creation of the Somerset County SRTS Plan.
Walk-to-School Events
On Tuesday, May 4th, Carter G. Woodson Elementary School is hosting a “Walk-to-School Day.” All students are invited to walk to school that morning if it is safe to do so and if they live close enough to school. For students who live too far away or outside Crisfield, a “Group Walk-to-School Event” has been arranged. Parents who have signed a permission slip can drop their children off at the former Whittington Elementary School site on Asbury Ave., just east of S. Somerset Ave., between 8:00 – 8:15 am. Somerset County Health Department and Woodson Elementary School staff and volunteers will be present to administer COVID screening, provide safety vests and flags, and supervise a safe and enjoyable 0.6 mile walk to school.
“Three Golden Rules” of walking to school:
- WALK (don’t run)
- Stay on the Sidewalk
- Walk Sensibly (no shoving, pushing, jumping on one another, etc.)
What is a “Pop-Up” Crosswalk Projects
Wide streets with fast-moving traffic present a major barrier for children wishing to walk safely to school. An effective way to address this situation is a “pop-up” crosswalk. Unlike a permanent modification to the street, a “pop-up” crosswalk is a temporary installation. This creates several benefits – it’s quick and inexpensive to design and install, it is put in place for a specified period of time and then removed (typically, 1-3 months), and its performance can be evaluated by collecting and analyzing data (traffic speeds/volumes, public opinion, etc.).
In preparation for the Woodson “Walk-to-School Day,” a “pop-up” crosswalk has been installed on S. Somerset Ave., close to Village Drive. In addition to the painted crosswalk bars, a few large planters have been placed close to the curb to create a “pedestrian bulb-out,” which encourages traffic to slow down and reduces the crossing distance for pedestrians. Woodson students and “Walk-to-School Day” volunteers will use this crosswalk on May 4th. This “pop-up” crosswalk will remain in place until June 17th. During that time, the Maryland Dept. of Transportation will conduct a traffic study to compare with the study they completed earlier this spring. And the Somerset County Health Dept. is conducting a survey to gather public feedback about the “pop-up” crosswalk.
SRTS Resources
- The Basics of Safe Routes to School (program overview by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership)
- Steps to Creating a Safe Routes to School Program (fact sheet by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center)
- The Walking School Bus Program: A Primer and First Steps (Narrated training program by the PedNet Coalition)
- Walk and Bike to School (comprehensive online resource by UNC Highway Safety Research Center)
Physical Activity in Somerset County
Get out and explore Somerset County on some of the most unique trails on the Eastern Shore. With the Somerset County’s Original Trail Mix you can find the best places across the county to be active! From walking, hiking, biking, or paddling, there is always 
something to explore. For more information check out the official Trail Mix website at www.somersettrailmix.com or download the Trail Mix app to get all the info at your fingertips. It’s free on Android or Apple devices. Follow us on Facebook at ‘Somerset County Original Trail Mix’.
Explore the Lower Eastern SHore along 43 marked trails. Follow link for a detailed map.
# Walk Somerset
Walk Somerset is a coalition of community organizers and leaders advocating to improve walking opportunities and walkability in Somerset County. Coalition partners include Somerset County Recreation & Parks, Somerset County Tourism, Judy Center Partnership, Somerset County Public Works, Main Street Princess Anne, and other local community members. The #WalkSomerset initiative was created to encourage people to start walks in their own neighborhoods with friends, family, and co-workers. To share your walks in Somerset County, or to find out about upcoming events, check out the Walk Somerset Facebook page. Make sure to share using ‘#WalkSomersetMD’!
Healthy Eating
Healthy Somerset Garden Project
The Somerset County Health Department has received a grant from the Maryland Health Resource Commission since 2014 to address childhood and family obesity in Somerset County. One aspect of the grant project was to promote food security. Thus, in partnership with the Eastern Correctional Institute, an inmate garden was established to provide locally grown and organic fruits and vegetables. Thanks to ECI and various community partners more than 42,800 pounds of fresh produce have been given to families in need throughout the county.
The Brightside: Healthy Somerset Garden Project
July 16, 2019 by Dani Bozzini
You can read the original article here.
Tri-County Area Food Pantries 2020
Obesity Prevention
Obesity rates in Somerset County are pretty shocking—50% more of adults in Somerset County suffer from obesity than those in the rest of Maryland. 45% of county adults and 21.3% of county children are considered obese in our county. But that’s not all; obesity is also looked at as a major health concern in the county because of a lack of weight loss activities and healthy food options.
People who are obese – compared to people with a healthy weight – are more likely to have various health problems and conditions such as, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and cancer. The Somerset County Health Department’s is working to promote food security and decrease childhood and adult obesity by developing various initiatives and projects in our community. For more information, please contact 443-523-1719.
recipes:
Eggplant is healthy and delicious. Think of it as a purple zucchini and prepare it in the same way.
