MCMS Physician Summer 2017 - 26

mon t m e d s o c .c om

A Prescription for Summer Fun:
Take the Montco Trail Challenge
mon t m e d s o c .c om

BY VALERIE ARKOOSH, MD, MPH
BY VALERIE ARKOOSH, MD, MPH
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONER

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONER

IC

oursing
Montgomery
County Can
is a vast
network
of trails,
'm sure that
eachthroughout
of you, just
as
How
You
Help?
I did, completed
the mandatory
covering over
92 miles with plans to expand even further. These trails
two hourare
continuing
medical as they promote community connectedness,
a valuable resource
education
training
benefit(CME)
the economy,
andon
preserve and create awareness of open space.
detecting
and
reporting
child
Moreover, trail systems suchabuse.
as ours promote active, alternative forms of
Withtransportation
that trainingfor
behind
us forand other daily trips which normally would be
commuting
this licensure cycle, I would like to
done in a car. This reduces the number of vehicles on our roadways, improves
take this opportunity to focus on our
air quality, and conserves natural resources. Most of all, this supports a healthy
community's most vulnerable citizens, our children, and our
lifestyle by providing safe, affordable opportunities for physical activity.
role in protecting them.
As you
physical activity is a vital part of maintaining and achieving a
First Let's Take a Look
at know,
the Numbers.

healthy state of being, with benefits including:
Reduced risk
of heartan
disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain cancers
According to the National* Children's
Alliance,
estimated 683,000 children were
victims of
abuseblood
and pressure, and blood sugar
* Controlled
weight,
neglect in 2015. Locally, in 2015,
4,321 children
were
* Decreased
symptoms
of depression, anxiety,
and arthritis
montcopa.org/investinginfamilies.
reported as victims of child abuse and neglect to ChildLine
and our own Office of Children
& Youth.
Trails
Offer Unique Experience
Unlike going to the gym or walking on a track, trails offer users of all ages

What is Child Abuse?
and abilities a unique experience, keeping them engaged and motivated. On
the same trail, one might bike, skate, run, walk their dog, or enjoy a hike
Pennsylvania's definition of child abuse has changed
with their
family.
Trails
connect residents with parks, playgrounds, historic
as a result of recent amendments
to our
Child
Protective
5800.
sites,
and
shopping
districts,
Services Law. Effective Dec. 31, 2014, the expanded offering many walkable or bikeable destinations.
Throughout
the seasons
and even at different times of the day, the scenery
definition of child abuse includes
intentionally,
knowingly
along
the
trails
changes,
providing
of colors,
wildlife, and plant
or recklessly causing any of the following to a child:
bodily a rangeAct
Immediately
that can makeserious
each outing a new adventure. Because trails offer so
injury; mental injury; sexualencounters
abuse or exploitation;
physical neglect; fabricating,much
inducing
orthey
exaggerating
a users to go further than they typically would
to see,
can encourage
child's illness; creating a likelihood
or sexual
in order of
to bodily
find outinjury
what lies
around the next bend.
abuse; actual acts even in the absence of injury including
kicking, biting, throwing, burning,
stabbinghas
or set
cutting
a
This knowledge
in motion
multiple Montgomery County initiatives
child in a manner that endangers
the
child;
unreasonably
to promote the relationship between trail usage and health outcomes to
restraining or confining a child; forcefully shaking, slapping
residents, one of which is the Zagster Bike Share program. Zagster is available
or striking a child under one year of age; interfering with
at three locations (Norristown Farm Park, Lower Perkiomen Valley Park, and
the breathing of a child; causing a child to be present at a
Pennypack
Trail) andisoffers
users a short-term, affordable means of physical
location where a methamphetamine
laboratory
operating;
activity.
http://bike.zagster.com/montcopa/
leaving a child unsupervised with an individual, other
than the child's parent, who is required to register as a
sexual offender, sexually violent predator or sexually violent
C M S P Hthe
Y S Ideath
C I A N of
26 the
S U Mchild
M E R through
2017
delinquent child; orMcausing
http://bike.zagster.com/montcopa/
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MCMS Physician Summer 2017
