HEALTH INITIATIVES
Mayor Steve Pougnet has always been an advocate for healthy living. A longdistance marathon runner and the parent of two youngsters, the Mayor is passionate about the importance of healthy living and combining sustainability
principles with health and wellness. “Palm Springs residents are well-known for
leading active lifestyles, but we can always do better,” said Pougnet. “Education
starts at home and in the schools - and it’s important that we lead by example.”
That’s why, in 2012, Mayor Pougnet helped to
raise more than $100,000 for health and wellness
programs in Palm Springs, including a $50,000
match from Desert Healthcare Foundation.
In 2013, the Coachella Valley became the
first community in the nation to develop a Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI) regional
strategy. The resulting “Blueprint for Action” reflects key recommendations made by a diverse
array of individuals, including local health and
education practitioners, policy makers, hospital
and clinic administrators, public health workers, philanthropists, nonprofit organizations and local
community leaders, among others.
With the Blueprint in hand, Mayor Pougnet wasted no time. The City of Palm Springs and
the Desert Healthcare Foundation, in partnership with President Clinton’s Health Matters raised
just under $350,000 in proceeds from the Mayor’s Healthy Planet, Healthy You Race and Wellness Festival in April 2013, including matching dollars from the Desert Healthcare Foundation.
These funds were distributed in July, 2013 to six local nonprofits working to promote health and
wellness. Other contributors, gratefully acknowledged included: Desert Regional Medical Center,
Eisenhower Medical Center, P.S. Resorts, Wessman Development, Spencer’s at the Mountain, Jessup Auto Plaza, Wintec Energy, Palm Springs Disposal Services, the Palm Springs Police Officers
Association, and local philanthropist Helene Galen.
Now entering its third year, the Mayor’s Healthy Planet, Healthy You Race and Wellness Festival is scheduled for January 11, 2014 8am-11:30am at Ruth Hardy Park. Moving the race to the
weekend prior to the Humana Challenge, it becomes the primary fundraiser for the Clinton Health
Matters Initiative’s efforts in the Coachella Valley.
There is a race for everyone of every age. In addition,
you’ll enjoy educational seminars, fitness demonstrations, free body fat, blood sugar and blood pressure
testing (courtesy Desert Regional Medical Center), free
blood pressure testing (courtesy Eisenhower Medical
Center) kid’s activity area, free food samples, free chair
massage (courtesy Kaplan College Students), give- Mayor Steve Pougnet with grant recipients
aways and more!
“I am incredibly proud of the partnership between the City of Palm Springs, Desert Healthcare Foundation and the Clinton Health Matters Initiative,” said Mayor Steve Pougnet. ”The success of this prolific
partnership is helping to dramatically move the needle when it comes to measuring and improving overall
community wellness and childhood obesity in the Coachella Valley and it’s incredibly exciting that local organizations will now be able to better promote health and wellness through these much needed grant funds.”
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To sign up for the race or learn more, visit YourSustainableCity.com.