Agenda 04-01-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment 5: BOCC /BOH Joint 04/01/04 FINAL DRAFT "A healthy community would be less about the `haves' and the `have nots'. It would be for everyone, and everyone would participate. " " I took my child there ... and when I showed them my Medicaid card, they told me they couldn't see him, and I left with my spirits on the floor. Obesity among children and adults. Obesity was the second issue selected by the community for a priority area of focus. There has been an alarming increase in overweight and obesity in all age groups in NC ion and Orange County is no exception. In this county, almost 50% of the over 45 population is overweight and over 20% of women are obese according to the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. Of particular concern is overweight and obesity in,children, as this could have long -term implications for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Overweight and obesity is a complex web that includes both nutrition and physical activity. Community attention to both is necessary to effect long lasting results. The Healthy Choices Committee of Healthy Carolinians is focused on adult health promotion including increasing physical activity, improv ing nutrition, and decreasing obesity and overweight, while the Cooperative Extensions Orange on the Move Coalition, is focused on these same issues for children. and the tell you about being "When you're a freshman, you go to health [class], a cafeteria, and you can't eat healthy overweight, and nutrition .... and then you go to the f Y [foodj there. " Orange County Teen • High rates of substance abuse. Applying 1 n g national stud y statistics to Orange County data, the Orange, Person, Chatham Mental Health Authority estimates that there could be between 5,600 and 11,000 Orange county residents.who are in need of some type of substance abuse service. Data indicates that in a best case scenario only half of those who need such services are receiving them. Alcohol use by middle and high school students is also alarmingly high as is the prevalence of drug use by high school students. There is very little difference between the districts in the use of either alcohol or drugs. This area was the third of the high priority areas chosen for further work by the community. "People have a perspective that alcohol addiction is only kids that come from a certain type of family, and I don't think that's true. I work with just as many kids who come from well - educated families who are well off as I do from lower - income families. I think just that people who have more money hide it better, and have the ability to get private treatment. " Service provider • Access to mental health services. This was the fourth priority area of concern for the community. Residents felt that there was already a shortage of mental health services and an inability to afford them. Combined with the stigma associated with mental illness and the impending changes in