'Recognizing Oswego County' Addresses Area’s ‘Unhealthy’ Status
Many county agencies hopping aboard effort to reverse trends
By Jacob Pucci
The Recognizing Oswego County program hopes to help a county that, according to the New York State Department of Health, is one of the unhealthiest in the state.
Recognizing Oswego County—or ROC—hopes to promote better health decisions as well as highlight those people who make a positive impact in the county.
Though the program was formed only this month, the new public health director for Oswego County expressed excitement.
“This is the right direction and we will be a part of this activity definitely,” said Jiancheng Huang, public health director for the Oswego County Health Department. Though Huang said the health department is not currently involved with the ROC program, he was enthusiastic for the benefits it will bring to the community.
Huang, in his first year at the helm of the county health department, is familiarizing himself with the county but said this “is a good direction for us to go.”
The program is a collaboration among members of many Oswego County agencies and nonprofit organizations, including Cayuga Community College, Tobacco Free Network of Oswego County, Oswego County Youth Bureau, SUNY Oswego Lifestyles Center, Oswego County Probation, County of Oswego Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, Catholic Charities of Oswego and Farnham Family Services.
Each month, a topic will be chosen and nominations will be taken for area individuals or organizations that best exemplify and promote the chosen idea or activity. Such positive campaigns are seen as critical in a county that ranks near the bottom in health behaviors and socio-economic factors in New York state.
For February, the group will focus on the harsh Oswego County winters and is currently seeking nominations for those who make efforts to promote physical activity during the winter months through the offering of indoor programming.
This is especially important in a county that according, to the DOH, has rates in physical inactivity and adult obesity far higher than the state average.
Those interested in nominating a person or organization may contact Pat Powers-Burdick at 315-592-4143, ext. 3010, or Abby Jenkins at 315-343-2344 or via email at ajenkins@cnymail.com.
Alternatively, posts to the Recognizing Oswego County Facebook page will also be accepted.
