Town hall meetings on community health issues; comments invited

Prince William Health District (PWHD) is offering residents the opportunity to influence public health priorities and help shape strategies for improving the community’s health through a series of Town Hall meetings, this week and next.

The meetings will be held on the following dates:

• Monday, June 17, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club – Manassas, 9501 Dean Park Ln., Manassas, VA 20110

• Tuesday, June 18, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22192

• Monday, June 24, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club – Hylton, 5070 Dale Blvd., Woodbridge, VA 22192

PWHD is collaborating with residents, public and private organizations, local experts and coalitions” to develop a Community Health Improvement Plan that aims to create a healthier place to live, learn, work and play,” according to a news release from Lorrie Andrews-Spear, public information officer for Virginia Department of Health’s Northern Virginia region.

Andrews-Spear said PWHD recently conducted the “Health Check” survey to assess the status of public health in the Greater Prince William Area.

At the meetings, PWHD staff will present preliminary results of the survey, and open the discussion about the area’s significant public health challenges and the best ways to effect positive long-lasting changes.

Residents from the Health District’s region are encouraged to attend: Prince William County, the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and the towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan and Quantico. Registration is not required and light refreshments will be served.

Contact Health Planner Karen Fujii, MHS at 703-792-6648 for more information. Full results of the “Health Check” survey will be available this summer on the PWHD website at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/LHD/PrinceWilliam