The UEL’S panel will look specifically at South Florida — to assess our current energy mix, propose ideal and reachable goals for the future, and offer a road map on how we can best reach the goals proposed.

Although we often speak of health and health care as if they were the same thing, in fact health care plays only a small role (not more than 15%) in the over-all health of our population. A much more important role is played by environment and lifestyle. Breaking it down further, it is apparent that in today’s America the physical environment (e.g. air quality) has a smaller influence on most people’s health than the power of the social environment (e.g. its impact on stress). Moreover, “lifestyle” (for example, what we eat) is in turn strongly influenced by our social environment (for example, the availability and cost of healthy food as well as the time to prepare it). So we are led to the conclusion that the single greatest influence on the health of Americans is their social enviroment. In particular, the economic circumstances of our lives affect individuals at all income levels. These effects are compounded for those who are the victims of racial and other prejudice. The relationship between social inequities and health is now so well documented that it will be the theme of the next annual convention of the American Public Health Association (“Social Justice: A Public Health Imperative”). However, in our community, the relationship is almost never discussed. Thus, it is welcome news when a local institution invites the community to an open discussion about this relationship, drawing on the talents of its faculty and using as a starting point a prize-winning video series, Unnatural Causes. This series of events will be an outstanding opportunity to explore the relationship between social justice and health with local experts. I hope that you will be able to join me in attending the entire series, or at least a part it (if you must choose, I would strongly recommend the first day). Continuing education credits will be available, and REGISTRATION IS FREE. ———–The Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade wishes to share with you information about an upcoming educational opportunity. Florida International University, in honor of Public Health Week, is sponsoring an Unnatural Causes Series. “Unnatural Causes” is a documentary series exploring America’s racial and socioeconomic inequities in health. The documentary goes beyond popular conceptions linking health to medical care, lifestyles, and genes to explore evidence of other more powerful determinants: the social conditions in which we are born, live and work.Program Dates:· Saturday, March 27, 2010, 9am to 11am· Saturday, April 3, 2010, 9am to 12:30pm· Saturday, April 10, 2010, 9am to 12:30pmLocation:Florida International University- South CampusPaul Cejas Architecture (PCA) BuildingRoom PCA 13511200 SW 8th StreetMiami, FL 33199This training is free for all participants and continuing education units are offered. Attached you will find a brochure with registration information. For questions, call Miami-Dade Area Health Education Center at (305) 597-3642.

At the UEL Dinner the question was asked: “Have Women Been the Major Visionaries for Historic Preservation in South Florida?’’ The speakers gave men their due, but it was clear that Miami-Dade women have been a major force in historic preservation. Moderator Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick, in such dynamic company, lost control of the microphone early-on.Sally Jude, Frances “Dolly MacIntyre, Arva Moore ParksEnid Pinkney and Kathleen Kauffman Nancy LiebmanSallye Jude, Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick (Moderator)

The vision of the UEL for Miami-Dade County begins with:”A safe, clean, vibrant, sustainable community guided by the public’s interest and governed by a Master Plan…”Editorial for the Miami Herald:GROWTH LAWS GET A BREAKIn a rare mood of candor, legislative leaders have admitted that they’re forgoing their usual assaults on Florida’s growth management laws this session because it’s an election year. They’re worried that voters will retaliate against how they’ve managed growth (badly).Yet knowing that the majority of Florida’s residents hate sprawl and support sound growth management principles never stops them from weakening these laws in off-election years.Consider 2009: The Legislature approved a bill that lets developers off the hook for paying for roads for new subdivisions. Lawmakers used the recession as an excuse, arguing that it would jump-start construction.It was a false premise then, and it still is. Construction is at a standstill. In the midst of the foreclosure crisis the state has more vacant housing stock than ever.Lawmakers are also worried about a 2010 ballot question — called Hometown Democracy — that would let voters decide land-use decisions. They’re being careful not to bad-mouth it, fearing voter backlash.Remember this cynical double-dealing come November. Legislators deserve a reckoning for their reckless pursuit of paving over more and more of Florida.The Miami Herald

Miami New Times: Terrance Riley says he resigned when he realized the building on the bay would take longer than he had originally anticipated.”Under ideal circumstances I would have stayed and seen the project through, but from any objective perspective, it’s more complex politically than virtually any other project I’m aware of.”What made the circumstances “not ideal”? Here’s part of what the story finds out: For starters, there’s the money. The county manager reported two weeks ago that only $30 million have been raised for the construction of the new building, not $45 million like the museum had said before. Half of that is in pledges that may not materialize.In other cities, trustees might have come to Riley’s aid. But, some trustees were dubious of his reputation from the beginning.Nine trustees left the MAM board in two years.