2019 -- S 0520

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LC001473

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE "HEZ ADVOCACY DAY" ON FEBRUARY 28, 2019

     Introduced By: Senators Satchell, Euer, Cano, Ruggerio, and Felag

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The noble mission of HEZ is "to encourage and equip neighbors and

community partners to collaborate to create healthy places for people to live, learn, work, and

play"; and

     WHEREAS, To date, Rhode Island’s Health Equity Zone (HEZ) initiative has directed

more than $10.4 million in public health funding towards building the infrastructure that is

necessary in order to achieve healthy, more resilient communities through systemic changes at the

local level; and

     WHEREAS, Currently there are nine HEZ programs helping to build healthy and vibrant

communities across the state; and

     WHEREAS, Research has shown that 80 percent of health outcomes are determined

inside our communities not at the doctor’s office. By building better access to neighborhood

services, safe and affordable housing, improved employment, and safer communities with

healthier food choices, we can effectively improve the health of citizens in our communities; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, HEZ is working to engage residents "to join and lead broader

efforts to eliminate barriers like poverty and repair injustices in systems such as education, health,

criminal justice, and transportation"; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby commemorates "HEZ Advocacy Day" on February 28, 2019, and encourages all Rhode

Island's communities to support local efforts to eliminate health disparities in our state; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Ana Novais, Executive Director of Rhode

Island Department of Health, Neil P. Hytinen, Chief Public Affairs Officer and Legislative

Liaison, RIDOH, and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott.

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