BOSTON, MA - Each summer, residents of the Old Colony Housing Development host an annual Unity Day, a well-attended block party hosted by and for its residents in conjunction with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). This year, City agencies, including the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) and Greenovate Boston will join residents to encourage consumption of healthy food and beverages, particularly tap water, and to promote smoke-free homes. Giveaways, raffles and fun, kid-friendly activities will appeal to all members of the family. 
 
"I am very excited that Unity Day at Old Colony is getting so much attention from people who care about the health of Boston Housing residents. This event draws out our residents and brings the community together. It’s great that health for residents is a focus. I always say we need to keep the ‘unity’ in ‘community,’” said Phyllis Corbit, President, Old Colony Tenant Task Force
 
Unity Day is organized by the Old Colony Housing Tenant Organization. Activities at this year’s event will promote the health and environmental benefits of tap water—Boston was just awarded best tap water in a 2014 national competition, something not many Bostonians are aware of—by offering blind taste tests to compare Old Colony tap water to bottled water. BWSC will bring their water truck, and the BPHC will distribute free reusable water bottles, making it easier for Boston Housing residents to drink from the tap. There will also be a table where BHA residents can take the “Soda Free Summer” pledge, which encourages residents to eliminate or reduce soda consumption during the summer months.
 
It’s important that our residents have access to information and resources that assist them to achieve a healthy lifestyle and make healthy choices for themselves and their children,” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle, “We’re looking forward to healthier Unity Days and a better quality of life for all.”
 
Henry F. Vitale, Executive Director of BWSC said that “the Commission is committed to continuing to work with the BHA, Public Health and Greenovate Boston in promoting healthier choices for residents. Boston tap water provides the highest quality, most accessible and least expensive way to stay hydrated.”
 
Support for the City’s healthy living effort is provided by the Boston REACH: Partners in Health and Housing project, funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Funding will pay for involvement of tenant organizations, resident health advocates and youth resident health ambassadors. Resident health advocates will participate in skills development including tobacco cessation counseling, social media efforts and other communication skills, as well as health improvement efforts.
 
“We are so excited to partner with the Old Colony residents and BHA to promote healthy beverages and smoke-free homes,” said Huy Nguyen, MD, the Interim Executive Director and Medical Director of the BPHC. “It is a great opportunity to show how healthy choices start in the home, and how BHA is supporting their residents to be healthier.”
 
Boston health data demonstrates the importance of such efforts for residents of public and rental assisted housing. An analysis based of Boston’s 2013 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that:

• 32% of public housing and 27% of Section 8 residents reported past 30 day cigarette smoking, compared to 16% of other residents

• 20% reported consuming at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day, compared to 8% of other residents, and

• 67% residents in subsidized housing were overweight or obese compared to 54% of other residents

Partners in Health and Housing will also be participating in Unity Days at the following housing developments:

• Saturday, July 11: Franklin Field and Whittier Street

• Saturday, August 8: Bromley and Orient Heights

• Saturday, August 15: Alice Taylor

 For information about Boston REACH: Partners in Health and Housing, visit www. bphc.org.