On Thursday, October 27, Healthy West Chicago was presented with the 2022 Public Policy Award by the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention during it’s 20th Annual Meeting of the National Forum which was held virtually.
The National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have helped advance heart disease and stroke prevention above and beyond the norm. The organization’s Public Policy Award is given to an individual or group who have been effective in promoting policy change that reduces the heart disease and stroke burden on a national, state, or local level.
Healthy West Chicago was the recipient for the award for it’s efforts in advancing infrastructure changes that have made walking and active living more accessible to more people in West Chicago. Mayor Ruben Pineda was the delegated recipient of the award for the City and Healthy West Chicago, and provided the following statement acknowledging the award:
“The City of West Chicago and Healthy West Chicago are honored to be bestowed with this year’s Public Policy Award. Obesity is a present and growing health crisis in our country. In West Chicago, we are prioritizing the health and well-being of our community by assisting our residents with making healthier choices in order to increase the quality of their lives.”
Healthy West Chicago is a non-profit organization that was formalized in 2014 through a collaboration of community leaders in local government, education, healthcare, social services, faith-based congregations, businesses, and non-profit organizations who have organized to increase nutrition and physical activity in the City of West Chicago.