Innovative multimedia exhibit redefines conventional views on “health” through series of high tech video games & interactive learning stations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sept. 24, 2012:  The California Museum announced the opening of the new multimedia exhibit “Health Happens Here” on Tues., Oct. 16, 2012. Developed in partnership with The California Endowment over a two year period, the innovative, interactive exhibit seeks to redefine conventional views on “health,” beyond traditional definitions of doctors, diet and exercise.

“’Health Happens Here’ is more than a museum exhibit, it’s an emerging movement that shifts thinking and policy making toward the reality that all Californians have a shared responsibility for improving the health of our state and its residents,” said Daniel Zingale, Senior Vice President of The California Endowment. “It brings the concept of health into the 21st century by raising awareness that access to better choices in neighborhoods, in schools and with prevention, is imperative to the health of everyone, regardless of their location.” 

Developed in partnership with The California Endowment, the exhibit was based upon 2010 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and Measure of America’s Human Development research, which revealed discrepancies in California communities in a variety of key factors affecting life expectancy, such as income, education level and health. The exhibit  is an interactive journey through which visitors explore connections between health and a variety of relevant topics facing California and its residents today, including food access, urban sprawl, public education, civic participation, sustainable community-building, social equity, environmental issues and more.

“California has long been regarded as the most health-conscious state in the nation,” said Richard Costigan III, Chair of The California Museum’s Board of Trustees. “However, as ‘Health Happens Here’ reveals, there are simple changes that can be made on individual, community and statewide levels to increase access to choices affecting the quality of life for all of California’s residents.”

Designed by West Office Exhibit Design, the gallery features kid-friendly high tech games and videos throughout 10 interactive stations, where visitors play games while exploring key factors relating to health. For example, in “Fight Blight,” visitors learn how to build healthier communities by discovering how streets, houses, schools, sidewalks, streetlights, businesses, freeways, and parks can affect an individual’s health. In “Stop the Glop,” visitors are challenged to select the healthiest options at a school cafeteria to create a lunch that supports the nutritional needs of growing students. The exhibit concludes with the opportunity for visitors to give back by turning their points collected into a donation to their choice of 10 charities making health happen across California.

“As a nonprofit institution, The California Museum is dedicated to educating and enlightening over 50,000 annual student visitors with the state’s history and culture of innovation,” said executive director Dori Moorehead. “By adding ‘Health Happens Here’ to our existing programming, we are able to further that mission by redefining the concept of health in the present which will help create a healthier state in the future. By educating California’s next generation of dreamers on how they can increase their access to choices, the Museum is able to help shape California’s long-term well-being and continued status as the hub of innovation in the future.”

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT:

The California Endowment is a private, statewide health foundation, which was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, The Endowment has regional offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego, with program staff working throughout the state. The Endowment challenges the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people’s health. The Endowment believes that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention. For more information, visit The Endowment’s homepage at http://www.calendow.org.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM:

A self-supporting 501(c)3 non-profit, The California Museum — home of the California Hall of Fame — engages, educates and enlightens people about California’s rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, the arts and culture. Through interactive and innovative experiences, the Museum inspires men, women and children to dream the California dream and dares them to make their own mark on history. Open Tues.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sun.: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Admission: adults $8.50; college students & seniors $7.00 with valid ID; youth 6-17: $6.00; children 5 & under free. For more information, visit http://www.CaliforniaMuseum.org

###

Interviews & press images available by request. Exhibit press kit available for download at: CaliforniaMuseum.org/press-kits

MEDIA CONTACT:

Brenna Hamilton, Communications & Marketing Director
The California Museum
1020 O Street, Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 651-0934
bhamilton@californiamuseum.org