WELCOME to the first issue of Building Healthier Communities magazine, published by Boston Hannah International. We are pleased to bring you this new magazine, which serves as a one-stop resource for people seeking information to improve the health of themselves and their families.

In this first issue of Building Healthier Communities, we are featuring a multi-stakeholder group of organizations committed to improving health in Chicago. Building a Healthier Chicago (BHC) is a group of local and national stakeholders working to make a significant impact on the health of all Chicagoans by increasing physical activity levels, improving healthy eating habits, and preventing, detecting, and controlling high blood pressure and other chronic conditions.

The goal of this publication is to bring the mission of Building a Healthier Chicago and its stakeholders to a more widespread audience. With steadily rising levels of obesity among adults and children in the U.S., we know that healthy living information has never been more important. Building Healthier Communities magazine will provide readers with the information needed to combat physical inactivity and obesity, which have reached epidemic proportions in the U.S.

Throughout the pages of this publication you will find:

• Informative health and wellness articles

• Stories on increasing physical activity levels

• Information on prevention, detection, and control of high blood pressure and other medical conditions

• Healthy recipes and dietary tips

• Useful tools and resources for readers seeking a healthy lifestyle

Learn more about Building a Healthier Chicago by visiting their web site http://www.healthierchicago.org.

Sincerely,

Building Healthier Communities staff