PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS NC This is Public Health Campaign North Carolina Public Health Association

01111111 2011 PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS NC This is Public Health Campaign North Carolina Public Health Association LINDSAY BELL DELA SURTI

Table of Contents I. Overview...3 Purpose What is Public Health? About the North Carolina Public Health Association II. Public Health Topics.4-11 Environmental Health..4 Health Behavior and Education..5 Dental Health.6 Wellness and Prevention 7 Epidemiology.8 Nursing..9 HIV/STDS..10 Women and Children s Health..11 III. North Carolina Public Health in Action 12-14 Healthy Communities.12 Health Policies 13-14 IV. Social Media Outreach.15 What is Social Media? Facebook Twitter V. Local and State Health Resources 16 VI. Sustainability Plan.17 VII. Citations.18-19 2

Overview PH Matters: What is our Mission? The purpose of the Public Health Matters NC toolkit is to educate the North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) members, public health professionals, and citizens of North Carolina on the importance of public health. This toolkit supports healthy communities and health policies throughout the state of North Carolina. What is public health? According to whatispublichealth.org, Public Health is the science and art of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. The field of health science that is concerned with safeguarding and improving the physical, mental, and social well-being of the community as a whole. About the North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA): The NCPHA was formed in 1909 by a group of concerned county superintendents of health in an effort to promote health in North Carolina. Over 100 years later, our association of individuals and organizations continues working to improve the public s health through political advocacy, public awareness, professional development, and serving as an interface between research and practice. The purpose of many NCPHA sections is to bring together people from official agencies, schools, organizations, community groups, and businesses to foster and stimulate greater opportunities for cooperation with health personnel, and promote joint planning to provide a better understanding in the promotion of health for all people. 3

Environmental Health Environmental health consists of the air we breathe, water we drink, and the complex interactions between human genetics and our surrounding environment. Examples of environmental health topics: Biological safety Chemical safety Emergency preparedness Environmental affairs Fire safety & Emergencies Industrial Hygiene Laboratory safety Radiation safety Occupational Health clinic Workers Compensation Services in NC: NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (environment issues, habitat and wildlife) NC State University Environment and Health Safety Division of Air Quality (Air quality index, monitoring data) NC Radiation and Protection (tanning, x-rays programs, radioactivity, regulations) 4

Health Behavior and Education Health Behavior and Education focuses on techniques to encourage people to engage in healthy choices including: community development programs consisting of healthy lifestyles to prevent disease and injury, and research complex health issues. Specialists promote efficient uses of health services, adopt self-care practices, and actively participate in implementing various health programs. Examples of health behavior and education topics: Mental health Aging Health promotion/disease prevention Public health practice Health education and behavior change Disability and health Social research Services in NC: NC Area Health Education Center Durham Community Health Network County Health Departments 5

Dental Health A healthy smile gives off positive factors such as: social mobility and acceptance, interpersonal relations, employability, and a good self-image. Poor oral health leads to much pain and infection, absence from school or work, poor nutrition, inability to speak or eat properly, poor overall health, and could also lead to early death. Examples of dental health problems: Dental caries (tooth decay, cavities) Mouth odor Periodontal disease (gum disease) Malocclusion (crooked teeth) Edentulism (complete tooth loss) Oral-facial injuries Craniofacial birth defects (cleft lip/cleft palate) Oral cancer Ways to prevent oral disease: Preventing diseases is one of the foundations of practicing public health; it may occur at an individual or community level. Three levels of prevention 1. Preventing disease before it occurs (programs such as community water fluoridation, school dental sealant programs, and health education.) 2. Keeps an existing disease from becoming worse (dental screenings for children and early detection of oral cancer in adults.) 3. Treatment to limit a disability to help rehabilitate an individual after a disease has progressed. (Complex dental fillings, root canal treatment, false teeth.) 6

Wellness and Prevention Wellness behaviors can be described as eat your vegetables, go out and play with your friends, be nice to your sister, smoking can be hazardous to your health, Just Say No, and don t drink and drive. These slogans may seem very easy to follow in creating a healthy lifestyle; but of course, the advice is not always as easy as it seems. Health care systems focus on curing disease but it is also important to promote health and prevent disease. The following topics focus on health wellness and prevention: Elimination of smoking Regular exercise Good nutrition Responsible use of alcohol Safe sex practices Eliminating drug abuse Further research shows: 400,000 deaths could be saved by the elimination of smoking, 300,000 through good nutrition and consistent exercise, and 100,000 by responsible alcohol use. Services in NC: NC tobacco prevention programs NC Prevention Partners (for healthy choices) NC Alliance for Healthy Communities 7

Epidemiology Epidemiology investigates the cause of a disease and then working to control its spread, field work to determine causes, risks, who is at risk, and how to prevent further evidence of a disease or injury. Epidemiologists focus on understanding and analyzing demographics and social trends that influence disease and work to evaluate new treatments. Epidemiological services offered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services: Tracing the path of an infectious agents (HIV) Consultations on community health problems Surveillance and prevention activities Outpatient care and support services (HIV/AIDS and other STD s) Medical evaluations for workers in hazardous trades Identification of environmental or occupational threats from asbestos, lead, chemicals, and other environmental factors Services in NC: NC Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Collection Tool (DETECT) Epidemiology Research and Information Center (Durham) ( " S n o w C h o l e r a M a p " ) 8

Public Health Nursing Public health nurses integrate community involvement and knowledge about an entire population or community with personal, clinical understandings of the health and illness experiences of individuals and families within that population. (APHA) Public health nurses INFORM, EDUCATE & EMPOWER Help prepare the public for natural and man-made disasters Advocate for and with underserved and disadvantaged communities Teach child care workers about common health issues Offer case management for high-risk populations PROVIDE HEALTH CARE Provide medical preventive and treatment services to high-risk populations Provide referrals through community links for needed care Encourage health promotion and prevention activities Organize medical care for Special Needs Shelters MONITOR & IDENTIFY COMMUNITY HEALTH PROBLEMS Gather and evaluate health information Look for health disparities and identify at-risk populations 9

HIV/STD Control and Prevention A sexually transmitted disease (STD), also known as a sexually transmitted infection or venereal disease is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior. Two of the most talked about STDs in North Carolina are Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Syphilis. Get Real, Get Tested is a statewide HIV educational and testing campaign to encourage citizens of North Carolina to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The project includes television and radio messages, and a toll-free HIV/AIDS Hotline, 1-888-HIV4REAL (1-888-448-4732). The project was launched in October 2006 with a series of televised Get Real, Get Tested. commercials on WRAZ/FOX 50 aired during popular prime-time shows. Starting in Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville, the commercials were then launched in Charlotte, Greensboro and Wilmington markets. The commercials feature local healthcare professionals, consumers, or N.C. Division of Public Health staff discussing HIV and AIDS and encouraging the viewer to visit the www.getrealgettested.com web site for more information and for a link to a list of testing sites. www.getrealgettested.com takes the visitor to a web page where they can type in a North Carolina zip code to get referrals to North Carolina physicians, clinics, hospitals, AIDS service organizations, etc., for HIV/AIDS testing and/or to be directed to other HIV/AIDS-related services. The North Carolina Syphilis Elimination Project (NCSEP) began in 1998 when 28 counties were identified as reporting more than 50 percent of the nation s morbidity for primary, secondary and early latent (PSEL) syphilis. Currently, the North Carolina Syphilis Elimination Effort (NCSEE) includes six counties; Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Robeson, and Wake. NCSEE strives to reduce primary and secondary syphilis through community involvement, surveillance, prevention, rapid outbreak response, targeted testing, health promotion and education. 10

Women s and Children s Health The field Women's and Children's Health assures, promotes and protects the health and development of families with emphasis on women, infants, children and youth. Women s and Children s Health programs place a major emphasis on providing preventive health services in the pre-pregnancy period and throughout childhood. The special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children and is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, commonly referred to as the WIC Program. WIC is for: Children up to 5 years of age Infants Pregnant women Breastfeeding women who have had a baby in the last 12 months Women who have had a baby in the last 6 months. WIC provides: Healthy foods Health care referrals Breastfeeding support Eating tips for you and your child Eligibility for WIC Live in North Carolina Live in a household with income at or below WIC guidelines Have a health risk factor based on: o o o o height and weight blood test for low iron health history diet history Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Improves the nutrition of WIC participants Increases North Carolina farmers share of the food dollar Helps revitalize rural areas by increasing awareness and use of farmers' markets. Coupons for WIC-eligible pregnant and postpartum women, breastfeeding women and children 3 to 4 years old to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers' markets. The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) has dual goals: One goal is to improve the nutritional status of WIC participants by issuing coupons to them for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. A second goal is to stimulate business for the local farmers and create a greater awareness of the farmers market. The program operates in thirty-seven (37) counties across North Carolina. 11

Sustainability Plan North Carolina Public Health In Action Healthy Communities Two key components of a healthy community: 1. It is a definition of a process, not of a status; a healthy community is not one that has a high health status but consciously strives to improve the health of its citizens by putting health high on the social and political agenda. 2. The process is to enable people to increase control and improve their individual health through applying the concepts and principles of health promotion at a local level. Healthy communities slightly differ when compared to community based health promotion programs because of their focus on the role of local government. The health and well-being of citizens should be a key objective of local governments. They have continued to play a significant role in creating physical and social environments supporting healthy decisions. Services in NC: NC Farmers Market Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Foundation Healthy Community Institute Biking Trails (Cary trails) Piedmont Triad Sustainability NC Sea Grant- Clean Water, Healthy Communities Active Living by Design (increasing physical activity and healthy eating through community design) Quit Now NC (tobacco cessation) NC Farms to schools program 12

North Carolina Public Health in Action Health Policies Prohibit Smoking in Certain Places (State Law 2009-27): All restaurants and bars in NC are smoke-free Ways to advocate for the cessation of Tobacco use: Expand existing smoke-free law by advocating for legislation to make all NC worksites and public places 100% smoke-free Advocate for legislation that expands local control so local communities can pass ordinances to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke in worksites (in addition to public places granted by HB 2 Support reinstituting North Carolina s cigarette tax stamp to promote health, safety, crime prevention efforts and increased state revenue. Support funding for evidence-based tobacco use prevention and cessation programs. 13

North Carolina Public Health in Action - Health Policies (Continued) Fitness Testing in Schools (State Law 2010-161): The State Board of Education develops guidelines for public schools to use evidence-based fitness testing for students statewide in grades kindergarten through eight. Recommended by the legislative task force on childhood obesity. This reduces overweight and obesity in children and increases physical activity. Honors Courses in Healthful Living Classes (State Law 2010-35): North Carolina schools now offer Physical Education and Health Honors Courses. This law allows schools to put the Health and Physical Education skill set on par with other academic skill sets which allows students interested in allied health professions to access the same benefits as other fields. State Law 2010-35 does not incur any additional cost to the state. The law simply authorizes local school systems to offer the Healthful Living honors course, if they chose to do so. The Healthful Living honors course curriculum has already been prepared by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and is ready to implement. These honors-level courses are more rigorous than standard-level courses and provide multiple opportunities for students to take greater responsibility for their learning. They also require higher quality work from the students than standard courses. Improve Childcare Nutrition/Activity Standards (State Law2010-117): Child care facilities must ensure that all children receive nutritious food and beverages according to their developmental needs. The nutrition standards shall include all of the following: A prohibition against serving sugar sweetened beverages to children of any age. A requirement to serve reduced fat milk to children older than two years of age. Each child care facility shall have a rest period for each child in care after lunch or at some other appropriate time and arrange for each child in care to be out-of-doors each day if weather conditions permit. 14

Social Epidemiology Media 1. What is social media? Social media includes the various online technology tools that enable people to communicate easily via the internet to share information and resources. Facebook and Twitter are examples of social media websites. These online communities can help individuals, groups, and organizations to increase visibility, educate members, and provide a platform for engagement. 2. Efficient ways to use social media in your organization: Provide mission and purpose of your group Keep members engaged by updating involvement and activities Organizational updates real time through Facebook and Twitter Increase your organization s presence online by using social media Facebook is a social networking website that helps individuals stay connected through several different features including: posting pictures, writing on the walls of other individuals or groups, chat, newsfeed, status updates, and more. If your organization does not have a Facebook page, you should create one. Then, post information about your events on your wall or status. You can also create an event page that allows you to invite others to your events. You can post event information and photos on the page and it will also allow you to view who plans on attending. Twitter is a social media platform that allows you to send short messages (140 characters or less called tweets) about your advocacy activities or about public health issues to your followers. Twitter increases support and awareness of your cause by providing small daily updates to your target audience about what you are doing for the causes and what they can do to help. Using Twitter to reach your target audience: Tweets can be easily retweeted by other users. NCPHA s @NCPHA twitter feed provides frequent updates on public health issues in NC that can be shared with your networks. You can mention users or organizations to speak to them directly and publicly Ex: @NCPHA To speak privately you must send a direct message. DM Tweet with a # (called a hashtag ) to label your tweet s subject or link it to a specific cause. Ex: #PHMattersNC Specific cause. Ex: #PHMattersNC 15

Local and State Health Resources There are many resources across the state of North Carolina that provide pertinent information and encourage citizens to lead healthy lifestyles. NC Problem Gambling Hotline (When gambling causes financial or relationship problems): 1-877-718-5543 Perinatal and Maternal Substance Abuse Initiative 1-800-367-2229 Pregnancy Exposure Risk line: 1-800-532-6302 Quit line (Support for North Carolinians looking to stop smoking) 1-800-QUIT-NOW Regional Alcohol and Drug Assistance Resources 1-800-688-4232 Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) Alcohol/Drug Council of NC Information and Referral: 1-800-688-4232 CARE-LINE Information and Referral Service (Help finding the programs and people to help you): 1-800-662-7030 Caseworks for Families Residential Resource Initiative: 1-800-367-2229 Children with Special Healthcare Needs Helpline: 1-800-737-3028 Diabetes Hotline: 1-877-362-2678 Epilepsy Information Service: 1-800-642-0500 Family Health Resource Line (Child health, child care health, maternal health, including substance abuse): 1-800-367-2229, (TTY 1-800-976-1922) NC Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222 For information about how to contact your county health department go to http://ncalhd.org/county.htm 16

Sustainability Plan The goal of the Public Health Matters North Carolina toolkit is to continue spreading public health awareness in North Carolina. The aspects of the Public Health Matters sustainability plan include: Providing this toolkit ( Public Health Matters NC ) to NCPHA members, public health professionals, and citizens of North Carolina for educational purposes. This toolkit will be a resource that is continuously accessible on the NCPHA website (www.ncpha.com). Committees and sections of the NCPHA are encourages to show the Public Health Matters toolkit at their meetings, workshops, and events. This toolkit will be exposed to North Carolina citizens, Public Health Professionals and NCPHA members on the NCPHA Twitter and Facebook pages. 17

Citations A l l u k i a n, M y r o n. O r a l H e a l t h. G a l e C o n t e n t. G a l e E n c y c l o p e d i a o f P u b l i c H e a l t h, 2 0 0 2. W e b. 2 0 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. a s k. c o m / h e a l t h / g a l e c o n t e n t / o r a l - h e a l t h >. B e h a v i o r a l S c i e n c e / H e a l t h E d u c a t i o n. W h a t i s P u b l i c H e a l t h? A s s o c i a t i o n o f S c h o o l s o f P u b l i c H e a l t h, n. d. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. w h a t i s p u b l i c h e a l t h. o r g / w h a t / i n d e x. h t m l # B e h a v i o r a l >. E l i m i n a t i n g S y p h i l i s i n N o r t h C a r o l i n a. P u b l i c H e a l t h i n N o r t h C a r o l i n a. D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s, n. d. W e b. 2 0 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. e p i. s t a t e. n c. u s / e p i / h i v / S y p h i l i s E l i m i n a t i o n 2. h t m l >. E p i d e m i o l o g y i n N o r t h C a r o l i n a P u b l i c H e a l t h i n N o r t h C a r o l i n a. N C D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s, 0 7 / M a r / 2 0 1 1. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. e p i. s t a t e. n c. u s / e p i / >. E p i d e m i o l o g y. W h a t i s P u b l i c H e a l t h? A s s o c i a t i o n o f S c h o o l s o f P u b l i c H e a l t h, n. d. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. w h a t i s p u b l i c h e a l t h. o r g / w h a t / i n d e x. h t m l # B e h a v i o r a l >. F a r m e r s M a r k e t N u t r i t i o n P r o g r a m G u i d e l i n e s. N u t r i t i o n NC. D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s, 2 2 M a r 2 0 1 1. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. n u t r i t i o n n c. c o m / w i c / p d f / 2 0 1 1 / F M N P 2 0 1 1 G u i d e l i n e s. p d f >. H e a l t h y C o m m u n i t i e s. E n c y c l o p e d i a o f P u b l i c H e a l t h. E N o t e s, n. d. W e b. 2 0 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. e n o t e s. c o m / p u b l i c - h e a l t h - e n c y c l o p e d i a / h e a l t h y - c o m m u n i t i e s >. H I V / S T D P r e v e n t i o n a n d C a r e. P u b l i c H e a l t h i n N o r t h C a r o l i n a. D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s, n. d. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. e p i. s t a t e. n c. u s / e p i / h i v / g r g t. h t m l >. H o n o r s C o u r s e s f o r H e a l t h f u l L i v i n g E d u c a t i o n C o u r s e s. N o r t h C a r o l i n a A l l i a n c e f o r H e a l t h. N o r t h C a r o l i n a A l l i a n c e f o r H e a l t h, n. d. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. n c a l l i a n c e f o r h e a l t h. o r g / M e d i a / O b e s i t y / P E / T a l k i n g % 2 0 P o i n t s % 2 0 H o n o r s % 2 0 C o u r s e % 2 0 H B % 2 0 9 0 1 % 2 0 F I N A L % 2 0 6-1 0. p d f >. L o u i s i a n a P u b l i c H e a l t h N u r s e s P u b l i c H e a l t h. D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H o s p i t a l s, n. d. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. d h h. s t a t e. l a. u s / o f f i c e s / p u b l i c a t i o n s / p u b s - 2 2 2 / P u b l i c % 2 0 H e a l t h % 2 0 N u r s i n g % 2 0 B r o c h u r e. p d f > N P H W. 2 0 1 1 P a r t n e r T o o l k i t. A m e r i c a n P u b l i c H e a l t h A s s o c i a t i o n, n. d. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. n p h w. o r g / n p h w 1 1 / p d f / 2 0 1 1 N P H W _ t o o l k i t. p d f >. P a u l, J o s h u a. T h e C h i c k e n o r t h e E g g M o d e l f o r O n l i n e C o m m u n i t y S u c c e s s. S o c i o u s M e m b e r E n g a g e m e n t B l o g. 0 1 / 0 7 / 2 0 1 1. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / i n f o. s o c i o u s. c o m / b i d / 3 3 7 0 1 / T h e - C h i c k e n - or- t h e - E g g - M o d e l - f o r - O n l i n e - C o m m u n i t y - S u c c e s s? u t m _ c a m p a i g n = E m a i l M a r k e t i n g _ M o s t + P o p u l a r + S o c i o u s + P o s t s + - + J u n e _ 2 0 1 1 0 7 0 6 > 18

Citations (Continued) P u b l i c h e a l t h - d e f i n i t i o n o f p u b l i c h e a l t h i n t h e M e d i c a l d i c t i o n a r y. T h e F r e e D i c t i o n a r y. M e d i c a l D i c t i o n a r y, n. d. W e b. 1 7 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / m e d i c a l - d i c t i o n a r y. t h e f r e e d i c t i o n a r y. c o m / p u b l i c + h e a l t h >. S o c i a l M e d i a - S o c i a l M e d i a D e f i n i t i o n. A b o u t. c o m. N. p., n. d. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / j o b s e a r c h. a b o u t. c o m / o d / n e t w o r k i n g / g / s o c i a l m e d i a. h t m >. S n o w C h o l e r a M a p. N C G I A. W e b. 2 2 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. n c g i a. u c s b. e d u / p u b s / s n o w / s n o w. h t m l > T o b a c c o - U s e P r e v e n t i o n. N o r t h C a r o l i n a A l l i a n c e f o r H e a l t h. N o r t h C a r o l i n a A l l i a n c e f o r H e a l t h, n. d. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. n c a l l i a n c e f o r h e a l t h. o r g / T o b a c c o - U s e - P r e v e n t i o n. a s p x >. W o m e n, I n f a n t s, a n d C h i l d r e n. N o r t h C a r o l i n a W I C. D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s, 0 1 J u l 2 0 1 1. W e b. 1 8 J u l 2 0 1 1. < h t t p : / / w w w. n u t r i t i o n n c. c o m / w i c / i n d e x. h t m >. 19