The National Governors Association (NGA) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), along with Tennessee Governor Haslam, are hosting a retreat for healthcare leaders throughout the state this September in Nashville, TN.  School of City and Regional Planning associate professor Nisha Botchwey has been invited to speak at the retreat during an open discussion on improving health at the community level.

Tennessee has been in the bottom ten states in health status by various measures for 25 years, according to the retreat’s mission statement. The event aims to catalyze improvements to the health system and sustain movement towards a culture of health across Tennessee. The event will take place from September 18-19, 2015 at the Sheraton Music City. 

Botchwey will speak and then participate in an open discussion with participants on Friday afternoon. Her session will focus on how aspects of the community, such as built environment, availability of  safe spaces to be physically active, and policy decisions shape healthy behavior choices. “Physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyles contributes significantly to early death in America. I am excited that the NGA is focusing on this critical issue to guide their stakeholders on how to build and redevelop places that will enable citizens to be active and realize improved health outcomes.”