History | Task Force Adopts New Name| Priority Areas| How to Get Involved | Task Force Meeting Documents | Contact Us
History
In May 2004, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the San Mateo County Health Department convened a Healthy Communities Summit in response to evidence of local health disparities and with the goal of developing a plan to reduce them.¹ Participants of the Healthy Communities Summit identified the prevention of childhood obesity as a priority health concern and established the Get Healthy San Mateo County (GHSMC) Task Force. The Task Force spent a full year planning and developing the Blueprint for Prevention of Childhood Obesity: A Call to Action as a guide and tool for San Mateo County community members and leaders addressing the issue of childhood obesity.
Task Force Adopts New Name
In an effort to ensure that the name of the Task Force represents the vast work of the collaborative, a new name was adopted in December 2007. The former San Mateo County Prevention of Childhood Obesity (PCO) Task Force became the Get Healthy San Mateo County (GHSMC) Task Force. The new name is indicative of the many areas that Task Force members are working in, addressing childhood obesity, the root causes of health disparities and the many components that can make our communities healthy for all children.
Priority Areas
The GHSMC Task Force identified five priority areas: Healthcare, Preschool/Child Care Services, Afterschool Programs, Schools, and Community/Environment. In the first year of implementation, nine committees were formed to address these five priority areas. An Advisory Council oversees the activities and goals of the nine committees as well as the overall Task Force. The Advisory Council which meets bi-monthly, consists of co-chairs from the GHSMC committees. Most committees continue to meet regularly to influence their priority area and are always welcome to new members!
How to Get Involved
Are you interested in joining the Get Healthy San Mateo County Task Force? Are you passionate about building healthy communities? If so, please contact us for more information at info@gethealthysmc.org.
Task Force Meeting Documents
September 2008
- Agenda
- Communication Plan
- Progress Report
- Ten Ways to Market the Clearinghouse Websites
Contact Us
Are you interested in learning more about the work of the Get Healthy San Mateo County Task Force? Do you have a question about the website? If you have any questions, please contact us at info@gethealthysmc.org.
¹ Health disparities are defined as differences in health status across population groups, whether defined by race or ethnicity, gender, social class, geographic location, or sexual orientation. http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2005/7630/7630.html