INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHY COMMUNITIES OF

THE CAPITAL AREAA HEALTHY MAINE

PARTNERSHIP

Presented by: Renee Page, MPH, CLC for

Hall-Dale Elementary School PTO

November 12, 2008

6:00 – 7:30 PM

TODAY’S GOAL

The goal is that you leave here today with:

A better understanding of resources available from HCCA

The role schools & parents play in child wellness

An understanding of the school structure that supports Coordinated School Health Programming

Ideas for taking action to improve the health of Hall-Dale students 2

OUR TOWNS

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SIX BEHAVIORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE MOST SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS

Tobacco Use

Poor Nutrition

Physical Inactivity

Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Behaviors Resulting in Intentional or

Unintentional Injury Sexual Behaviors Resulting in HIV, Sexually

Transmitted Disease, or Unintended Pregnancy 4

CDC ESTIMATES…

80% of heart disease & stroke,

80% of Type II Diabetes,

40% of Cancer

Could be prevented if we did these three

things…

Stop smoking

Eat healthier

Be more physically active5

STUDENT WELLNESS & ACADEMIC OUTCOMES…WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?

Increasing evidence shows the relationship between healthy students and:

Improved test scores

Better attendance

Better behavior

Improved sense of well-being

Less economic burden6

TOBACCO FACTS

2,400 kids under age 18 become new daily smokers each day in Maine –CTFK

29,200 kids under age 18 and alive in Maine will ultimately die prematurely from smoking –CTFK

3.8 million packs of cigarettes are bought or smoked by kids in Maine each year –CTFK

6th & 7th grade are the peak years for starting smoking and more than 1/3 will become regular smokers –Johnston et al., -CDC 7

TOBACCO PREVENTION & TREATMENT

Tar Wars

LifeSkills

N-O-T: Not On Tobacco

SIRP

Youth Voices

ME Tobacco Helpline

Smoke Free Homes Pledge Tobacco Free Schools &

Playing Fields Policy

Tobacco Law

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LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & POOR NUTRITION EPIDEMIC

33% of 2-4 year-olds, 36.5% of kindergarteners & 1/3 of adolescents in ME are overweight or obese. -Maine Child Health Survey 2004

Prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents has doubled over the past two decades.

More than $300M spent in Maine on obesity-related illness 1998-2000. –MECDC, 2007

Only 19% of Maine high school students eat the recommended daily servings of F&V -YRBS. 2005

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OBESITY PREVENTION & TREATMENT

Take Time!

Love Your Veggies

Fitness Center

Farm to School

Safe Routes to School

Walking Trails

PE4ME

BMI Reporting

Local Wellness Policy 10

DEFINITION: COORDINATED SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMS

A Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) is an effective system designed to connect health with education. This coordinated approach to school health improves students’ health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, communities, and schools working together.

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MAINE’S COORDINATED SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM

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UNCOORDINATED SYSTEM

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HOW ARE THINGS WORKING IN YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM?

SOME BENEFITS OF COORDINATED SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMMING (CSHP)

Reduced absenteeism

Fewer behavior problems in the classroom

Improved academic performance

Students acquire information & skills for making healthy decisions

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WHAT DOES COORDINATED SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMMING DO?

improves students’ capacity to learn through the support of families, schools, and communities working together, and

integrates health topics and activities throughout the curriculum and during the school day to keep kids healthier and support their capacity to learn

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Renee Page, MPH, CLCSchool/Youth Program Manager

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area36 Brunswick AvenueGardiner, ME 04345207-588-5020rpage@mcd.orgWebsite:www.healthycommunitiesme.org

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