News in brief SKOWHEGAN: NUTRITION NETWORK FORMED

Representatives from Somerset County agencies and organizations met earlier this month to begin the formation of a countywide nutrition network aimed at promoting nutrition education for county residents. The groups met last week during a luncheon sponsored by two Healthy Maine Partnership-funded organizations: Healthy Living, managed by Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield; and Somerset Heart Health, managed by Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan. The creation of the network is the next step in a long-term partnership of the two organizations to improve dietary quality in Somerset County. The collaboration to date has worked to gather and analyze data regarding chronic health problems and high-risk factors in the county and is conducting research into habits of households regarding nutrition and physical activity. The two groups are among 31 supported by state tobacco funds.