(ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE) -- Metro Atlanta leaders will seek to grow the region's global business opportunities through a new initiative kicked off Wednesday by JP Morgan Chase and the Brookings Institution.

The Global Cities Initiative, which is part of a five-year, $10 million multi-city effort ultimately will forge new city-to-city partnerships to create trade and economic relationships to prosper from the growing urbanization of the world's population. 

Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed said the initiative takes advantage of growing businesses through exporting and by recognizing that the "Made in USA" brand is becoming increasingly valuable in the world. 

The two-day conference, held at the Academy of Medicine on the Georgia Tech Campus, will lead to a new Metropolitan Export Plan for Atlanta. 

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- The newly released 2013 County Health Rankings for Georgia confirm the critical role that factors such as education, jobs, income, environment and access to health care play in how healthy people are and how long they live.  Once again, the Rankings place Fulton County in the top quarter of Georgia counties on health outcomes and health factors according to the report released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Project.

“We know that much of what influences our health happens outside of the doctor’s office – in our schools, workplaces and neighborhoods,” states Patrice A. Harris, MD, Director of Fulton County Health Services.  “We have to keep looking at the multiple factors that contribute to good health and ensure that our communities are positioned to address those factors.”

ATLANTA -- The 2013 Atlanta Women's 5K run/walk will hit Candler Park on Saturday, March 23. 

Atlanta Track Club's Tracy Lott expects around 3,000 women to participate in the race. Runners and walkers can become a team in five divisions including mother/daughter, sister/sister, open women, masters women (age 40 - 49) and grand masters (age 50 and up). 

The race will begin at 8:00 that morning, in front of Veritas Church on S. Ponce de Leon Avenue. Participants will be completing the 5K to celebrate women's health and fitness. A shirt will be given to racers, and finishers will get a flower and Smart Glass necklace. 

At 8:10 a.m., a baby stroller division will also start the race. 

For more information, visit the Atlanta Track Club online.