Guilford County has received an Eat Smart, Move More NC Community Grant for 2010-2012 to fund local physical activity projects targeting youth ages 9 to 14.

Rankin Elementary and Guilford Prep Academy have committed to adopting changes using the Increase Physical Activity and Nutrition in Schools (IPANS) evaluation and intervention project. These policy changes will positively impact physical activity and health at the schools and address the needs of the children who attend and the adults that influence them.

“We are pleased to be selected to implement a project designed to promote healthy behaviors among our youth,” states Merle Green, Health Director.

For the first time, the Eat Smart, Move More NC community grants are being awarded for a two-year cycle to study the impact the grants are having in the communities that receive them. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded funding in the fall of 2009 to the N.C. Division of Public Health’s Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch to work with East Carolina University’s Department of Public Health in evaluating the program. Guilford County will receive funding for data collection in 2010-2012 and for program implementation in 2011-2012.

North Carolina ranks 14th in the nation in overweight and obese adolescents. The percentage of children and adults who are overweight or obese rises each year and despite advances in medicine, the current generation of children may be the first to live shorter lives than their parents. Eat Smart, Move More NC strives to reverse this trend by making the healthy choice the easy choice.

The N.C. Division of Public Health funded 20 county/district health departments for the two-year grant cycle. The Eat Smart, Move More NC Community Grants support the Eat Smart, Move More North Carolinamovement and Eat Smart, Move More: North Carolina’s Plan to Prevent Overweight, Obesity and Related Chronic Diseases, the state’s obesity prevention plan. This plan emphasizes strategies that make healthier eating and increased physical activity easier to achieve by, for example, adding walking paths in neighborhoods or around schools, or changing what foods a school can serve both at lunch and for after-school snacks.

“Making our schools and after school programs, our neighborhoods and our places of worship supportive of healthy eating and active lifestyles is important so that kids learn these habits early and carry them into adulthood,” said State Health Director Dr. Jeff Engel. “It also means each generation of kids gains the benefit of these more sustainable changes to our communities.”

All the funded projects are described on the Eat Smart, Move More NC Web site atwww.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com. Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina is a statewide movement that promotes increased opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity wherever people live, learn, earn, play and pray. The movement is led by a coalition of more than 60 organizations. For more information on the Eat Smart, Move More NC movement or to find out how your community can promote healthful eating and physical activity, visit www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com on the Web.

For more information on Guilford County’s project, contact Candy West with the Department of Public Health at 641-7777.

There are some new national tobacco regulations that went into effect on June 22, 2010, the anniversary of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act).(The Tobacco Control Act grants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products to protect public health and to reduce tobacco use by children and adolescents.) In short, these new regulations: 1) limit the sale, distribution, and marketing of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to individuals younger than18 years of age; 2) require larger and stronger health warning labels to appear on smokeless tobacco advertisements and on smokeless tobacco products manufactured on or after June 22, 2010; and 3) prohibit the tobacco industry from manufacturing for sale or distribution any tobacco products for which the label, labeling, or advertising contains the descriptors “light,” “low,” or “mild” (or any similar descriptor).

Local public health departments have no role in enforcement of these regulations but do have a role in educating the community regarding the regulation, alongside tobacco use prevention and cessation.

According to the CDC’s website, FDA tobacco regulations are to be phased in over an extended period.   Several key provisions of the new regulations became effective on June 22, 2010. For example:

• Larger and stronger health warning labels must appear on smokeless tobacco advertisements and on smokeless tobacco products manufactured on or after June 22, 2010.
• The tobacco industry is prohibited from manufacturing for sale or distribution any tobacco products for which the label, labeling, or advertising contains the descriptors “light,” “low,” or “mild” (or any similar descriptor).
• Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco may not be sold to anyone younger than 18 years of age. (Although states have similar restrictions, the Tobacco Control Act makes this a federal law.)
• Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco may not be sold through vending machines or self-service displays, except in facilities that prohibit entry to persons under the age of 18 years.
• Retailers may not sell single cigarettes or packages containing fewer than 20 cigarettes, except in vending machines located in facilities that prohibit entry to persons under the age of 18.
• Free samples of tobacco products are not permitted, with the exception of free samples of smokeless products in adult-only facilities in certain restricted situations.
• Free branded product tie-ins (such as T-shirts) are not permitted.
• Branded sponsorships of athletic or cultural events are prohibited.

The CDC also reports that despite declines in youth tobacco use over the past few decades, the United States is still faced with troubling statistics that the FDA regulations will help address:

• An estimated 16.7% of NC High School students currently smoke cigarettes, which is below the national average of 20% of U.S. high school students who  smoke cigarettes.
• In Guilford County where there has been a substantial investment of resources in teen smoking prevention.  In a 2008 survey, only 11.3% of high school students have smoked 2 or more cigarettes in the last 30 days, a substantial decrease from 15.8% in 2003.
• Each day in the United States, approximately 3,900 young people between 12 and 17 years of age smoke their first cigarette.
• An estimated 1,000 youth become daily cigarette smokers in the United States each day.

The provisions that went into effect on June 22 will restrict the sale, distribution, and promotion of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to make them less accessible and less attractive to youth.

For more information about the new regulations, visithttp://www.cdc.gov/features/tobaccocontrols/

For more information about youth tobacco prevention programs offered by Guilford County Department of Public Health, call 641-7777.  For information on tobacco use cessation, visitwww.quitlinenc.com , call 1-800-quit now or call the Department of Public Health.

Nationally, Men’s Health Month is observed annually during the month of June while this year, June 14-20 is noted as Men’s Health Week.  According to the official website for the observance, www.menshealthweek.org, the purpose of Men’s Health Month and Week is to “heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys”.

Guilford County Department of Public Health is participating along with other area agencies in a local Men’s Health Day event, this Saturday, June 19 at Hayes Taylor Memorial YMCA, 1101 E. Market Street in Greensboro from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Various screenings and educational services will be provided. For more information about this event, contact Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency at (336) 274-1507 or www.piedmonthealthservices.org

The Department of Public Health provides services and programs at its facilities for males that are designed to improve or protect their health such as general immunizations like flu shots and more specialized vaccinations such as Yellow Fever for international travel.  Males can visit the department of public health for short-term contraceptives (condoms) and long-term options like those available through our Regional Vasectomy Program.  Males are invited to join their female partners in our prenatal education classes or solo or as couple in one of our smoking cessation courses called QuitSmart®.  Men may also use our testing and counseling services for sexually transmitted diseases.  Homebound males may qualify for limited medical services delivered in their own home by trained staff in our Community Health Response or Care Management Programs.

“We offer a wide variety of services for men, some of which are available at little to no cost to the client,” states Merle Green, Heath Director. “I would encourage men who are interested in improving their health status to check out what their local public health department can offer.”

For more information about services for males, contact Guilford County Department of Public Health at 641-7777 or visit www.guilfordhealth.org .

Anitra Bell, Registered Nurse with Guilford County Department of Public Health’s Childcare Program received the 2010 Exemplary Practice Award from the Get Health Guilford Coalition on Tuesday, June 1.  The Exemplary Practice Award is presented annually to an individual coalition member who has shown dedication, initiative, and persistence in a practice that addresses an aspect of obesity prevention or reduction or treatment of obesity-related illnesses, and who provides an example of both professional and compassionate practice.

Ms. Bell’s role in the Public Health Department’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare Centers (NAP SACC) program was cited as the key reason for her nomination and selection. She provides nutrition and physical activity instruction to childcare staff, which in turn has had a positive effect on not only the adults but the children served. Staff at her centers report losing hundreds of pounds and are more conscious about caring for their own health.  Ms. Bell also helps center employees who have been identified with chronic health conditions to monitor those conditions.  She personally utilizes her own instruction to offer a good example which impacts her health in a positive way.

The Guilford County Department of Public Health is offering the QuitSmart® smoking cessation class series in Greensboro in July.  The series consists of one class per week for four weeks.  Each class lasts 90 minutes and there is no cost to the participants for the session or materials.  These classes are open to any Guilford County adult resident.  Class size is limited to 12 participants.

The evening series will begin on July 8 and ends July 29, and will meet each Thursday.  Classes will be held from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. at the 1100 East Wendover Avenue location.  For more information or to register, please contact Kim Herzing at 420-0933 or Catherine Richardson at 641-4718.

The QuitSmart® classes are being funded by the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. QuitSmart® utilizes evidenced-based techniques (cognitive behavioral strategies, brand-fading, self-hypnosis compact disc, patented cigarette substitute) that have proven to be more effective than other stop-smoking programs.  In a study at five U.S. Air Force bases, sixty-six percent of Quit Smart participants were still smoke free six months after quitting, compared to 16-30% in other stop smoking programs (source:  Shipley, et al., Federal Practitioner).

Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death in our state and in our nation.  It creates health risks for smokers as well as those around them.  There is no known safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.  For women, smoking creates some unique health risks.  For example, women over age 35 who smoke and use birth control pills have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots of the legs.   Smoking is a risk factor for having a low birth-weight baby and low birth-weight babies are more likely to die or to have learning and physical problems.

Individuals interested in quitting can also receive free expert support by using QuitLineNC.  For more information or to talk with a Quit Coach, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Do you know someone who has diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, fibromyalgia or any other chronic condition? If yes, Living Healthy might be “just what the doctor ordered.” Living Healthy is designed to help persons manage their chronic conditions and live a happier, healthier life.

By attending this FREE workshop, participants may learn how to:
• Manage their condition.
• Communicate effectively with their doctor.
• Fight fatigue.
• Build their confidence.
• Make daily tasks easier.
• Have fun sharing with a positive, supportive group.

Living Healthy consists of a 2.5 hour session once a week for six weeks. Participants must agree to attend all six Living Healthy sessions.

The next series is June 3-July 8 from 12:30pm-3:30pm at Chavis Life Long Learning Branch, Greensboro Library, 900 S. Benbow Rd, Greensboro.

Space is limited. Interested individuals should contact Sandy Ellington (6704 or selling@co.guilford.nc.us) or Connie Lawson (7722 or clawson@co.guilford.nc.us) soon to reserve a place.

Please share this information with persons whom you think would benefit from this new program!

Heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease (strokes), chronic lower respiratory disease and diabetes are among the top ten leading causes of death in Guilford County.  They all have something in common.  They are examples of a chronic health condition – a personal medical issue that a person may have to deal with for years.

Chronic health conditions are some of our most common and costly health problems.  Diseases such as diabetes, arthritis or lupus take a physical, emotional and financial toll on the individuals who have them as well as their family members.  Patients and caregivers often struggle with quality of life issues as well as lost or reduced productivity at work and at home.

The Guilford County Department of Public Health, with support from the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging, is offering its first Living Healthy Chronic Disease Self-Management Program series for individuals with chronic health issues.  The series will be held on six consecutive Thursdays, beginning June 3 and ending July 8 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the Chavis Life Long Learning Branch of the Greensboro Public Library, 900 South Benbow Road in Greensboro.  There is no cost for the series, but interested individuals must pre-register.  Attendance is limited to 18 people due to the high level of interaction during each session.

Living Healthy is an evidence-based program designed by the Stanford Patient Education Research Center.  It is designed to help individuals better manage their chronic conditions and live healthier and happier lives.  Topics covered include:  symptom management; communicating effectively with your health care provider and family; fighting fatigue; problem solving; and action planning.

For more information or to register for Living Healthy, interested persons should contact Sandy Ellington at the Guilford County Department of Public Health at 641-6704.

The Guilford County Department of Public Health, with support from the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging, is offering its first Living Healthy Chronic Disease Self-Management Program series for individuals with chronic health issues. The series will be held on six consecutive Thursdays, beginning June 3 and ending July 8 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the Chavis Life Long Learning Branch of the Greensboro Public Library, 900 South Benbow Road in Greensboro.

There is no cost for the series, but interested individuals must pre-register.

Attendance is limited to 18 people due to the high level of interaction during each session. We need your help promoting this new program.

Contact Sandy Ellington at 641-6704 for a brochure or to register.

Are you or someone you know trying to quit smoking?  Would you like some help?  Our High Point site has two QuitSmart series coming up in May. The dates and times are:  5/5-5/26 5:30-7:00pm and 5/6-5/27 12noon-1:30pm.  Contact Cindy Simpson (7654) for more information and to register. Greensboro also has a series scheduled (5/5-5/26 6-7:30pm).  Contact Kim Herzing (420-0933) or Catherine Richardson (4718) regarding the GSO series.

Marc Ambinder has written a very interesting article in the May 2010 Atlantic Magazine about the ongoing issue of obesity in the US. It speaks to many of the issues that are driving us to gain weight and the difficulty of finding a solution. Take a look and let me know what you think.