Agenda 04-01-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC HEALTH TASK FORCE 2004: PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN CHRONIC DISEASE — PREVENTION & CONTROL Need Addressed /Rationale Tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits are the big three leading preventable causes of death in both North Carolina and the United States. Together, they are responsible for the deaths of 15,000 North Carolinians each year. This represents 35% of the all deaths in the state. Tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause of mortality in NC resulting in more than 14,000 deaths annually (NC SCHS, 2002). Tobacco use is highly addictive, and most tobacco users start at age 12 -14. North Carolina has the 11 th highest smoking rate in the nation (MMWR., 2004). Regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes and helps to control weight and strengthen bones, muscles and joints. Only 18% of adults in North Carolina reported engaging in regular and sustained physical activity in 2000, and only 5 states in the nation have a lower prevalence of regular and sustained physical activity. Unhealthy food choices are recognized as a-major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. An estimated 35% of cancer deaths can be attributed to poor diet alone. Low fruit and vegetable intake is associated with various cancers; yet in 2000, only 22% of North Carolina's adults reported eating at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables; the 17`h lowest prevalence in the nation. The combined annual cost of these preventable risk factors to the state of North Carolina exceeds $14 billion each year in direct medical care costs, and lost productivity. When combined, direct medical and productivity losses cost NC $4.8 billion annually (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention State Highlights 2002). The costs of poor nutrition, overweight, and obesity in North Carolina are of $4.9 billion each year. In terms of health disparities, the death rate for stroke among African Americans is 30% - 40% higher than for whites. In addition, African Americans and American Indians are two times more likely to die from diabetes than whites in North Carolina. Infrastructure /Capacity Improvement The state currently provides very limited funding to address the leading causes of preventable deaths: tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor nutrition and obesity. This new approach for 2004 -2010 will address the leading preventable causes of deaths and containing health care costs by implementing new sound science and best practices interventions in NC communities. Local health promotion coordinators and their community partners will plan and implement evidence -based programs promoting policy and environmental change interventions that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases attributable to tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating. Budget • Community. cooperative agreements • Paid media interventions • 12.5 Full Time Equivalents Program Planning and Evaluation Onerating and Equipment. Costs