Working Together
for a Fit CNY

The Commission for a Healthy Central New York
Welcomes You!

What is the Commission?

The Commission developed from an initial interest by SUNY Upstate Medical University to better meet the needs of the community it resides in, educates, and to which it provides healthcare.  Upstate reached out to similar-minded representatives in the local community, the Commission was formed and a charter was drafted.

Charter of the Commission

The Commission will foster a collaborative effort by community leaders and health service providers to improve the health of residents of Central New York.   In doing so, we aim to achieve the overarching national goals articulated in “Healthy People 2010” to increase quality and years of healthy life and eliminate health disparities among individuals and populations. 

The Commission serves as the catalyst to an effective “healthy community” coalition by laying the groundwork, initiating and monitoring community activities, measuring health improvements, and generally sustaining the initiative for the long term.  Initially, its chief responsibilities are:

• Evaluating community health needs and assets
• Creating a vision
• Creating successful partnerships
• Identifying potential resources

Community-wide involvement is a critical component to achieving a healthier Central New York.  We expect that the participation of various community leaders and service providers will be solicited for a wide-range of activities.  Activities sponsored by the Commission will be collaborative and will not purposely exclude any interested party.  Participants may include local healthcare providers, public health officials, law enforcement and judicial agencies, social service agencies, schoolteachers and administrators, elected local and state officials, business leaders, consumer groups, and churches and clergy.  Throughout these activities, the Commission will maintain a role of facilitator.  It will provide vehicles for measuring improvements and act as communications agent to its workgroups as well as the community at large.