1 Low incom e neighborhoods are less likely to have Greater - PDF document

W ellness Prom otion/ Obesity Prevention I nitiative “Mass I n Motion” MA Departm ent of Public Health Mass. Wellness Campaign The health risks associated w ith overw eight/ obesity are too great to W hy are these steps needed in ignore difficult econom ic tim es • Heart Disease • Low income residents are more likely to be overweight and obese for a variety of socio-economic reasons Prevalence of Diabetes in Massachusetts, 1994-2005 • High Blood Pressure • Low income residents are more likely to develop 7 • Stroke 6.2 6.4 6 5.8 5.8 chronic diseases – such as diabetes - as a result 5.6 5.6 5 4.7 4.9 4.3 P ercen t 4.1 4 3.8 3.8 • Type 2 Diabetes • Certain action steps can be taken which have 3 2 enhanced benefits for those with low incomes • Abnormal Blood Fats 1 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 • Metabolic Syndrome Year Overall • Cancer Source: Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); 1994-2005. • Osteoarthritis Note: Estimates have been age-adjusted to 2000 US standard population • Sleep Apnea • Reproductive Problems Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign Obesity and Overweight are Exam ples of disproportionate im pact on low Major Problems in Massachusetts incom e residents 75 70.9 61.4 65 55.5 54.8 55 45 Percent 38.2 31.4 35 26.0 25 20.3 19.5 15 5 -5 MA White, non- Black, non- Hispanic Asian Hispanic Hispanic Statistically different from state (p ≤ .05)– Red (*) Statistically worse than state- Green (**) statistically better than state Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign Source: MDPH, Bureau of Health Information, Statistics, Research and Evaluation, Health Survey Program 1

Low incom e neighborhoods are less likely to have Greater likelihood of diabetes if low incom e • Supermarkets with large produce sections • Farmers markets • Accessible recreational facilities • Safe, walkable neighborhoods Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign Our Goals Our Objectives • Make the promotion of wellness and the prevention of overweight and obesity a top public health priority Decrease the number and percentage of both • Create conditions that encourage, nurture and adults and children who are overweight and promote wellness – with particular focus on the obese importance of a healthy eating and physical activity Decrease the prevalence of chronic disease associated with unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign Release a Report on the Problem of Overweight and Obesity • Document the extent of the obesity epidemic in Massachusetts, including the disproportionate effect on certain populations • Highlight innovative and successful programs Action Steps across the Bay State and present new action steps Mass. Wellness Campaign 2

Pass a Menu Labelling Pass a regulation requiring student Regulation Body Mass Index collection Public Health Council • Work in will consider a partnership with regulation that school nurses and requires fast food local clinical chain restaurants to providers post the calorie • Insure consistent content of their and beneficial food… at the point of communication purchase with parents Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign Statewide public information Support Legislation campaign – Advertising on busses and • Ban trans fats trains; billboards; posters; • Promote – Spokespersons include Governor Patrick and healthful foods other residents in schools, and representing different diverse populations ban junk food – Linkage to key state and local initiatives such as walking programs, recognition campaigns, etc. Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign Executive order requiring the Interactive Wellness Website purchase of healthful foods with state contracts • Comprehensive information on Procurement of foods and snack products wellness which meet criteria • Links to local based on healthful resources and dietary guidelines for events state facilities • Interactive tools to help individuals set and achieve goals Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign 3

A public-private partnership to Workplace Wellness Initiative support health cities and towns • A unique partnership • MDPH will expand Mission & Vision of 5 foundations, its Worksite Vision : All worksites in hospitals and an Massachusetts will provide social, Wellness Initiative cultural and physical insurer with DPH environments that support to new worksites optimum employee health and • Grants of at least well-being $60,000 • A toolkit and Mission : the mission of the curriculum will be • Examples of supported Massachusetts Worksite Wellness I nitiative is to promote worksite work: school lunches, available to all wellness through information, training, regulation and technical transportation, zoning employers assistance policy change Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign Funding Partners Key Partners (advisers on plan) • Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Massachusetts • The Obesity Prevention Task Force, the Massachusetts Public Health Council, Massachusetts Health Policy • Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Massachusetts Forum and the Massachusetts Public Health Association Foundation • The HealthyMass Chronic Disease Prevention and • Boston Foundation Control Task Force • The DPH Wellness Advisory Group (formerly the • Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare Foundation Partnership for Health Weight) – co-chaired by Massachusetts Heart Association and Blue Cross/ Blue • MetroWest Community Health Care Shield Foundation • Massachusetts Medical Society, the Mass. Chapter of • Tufts Health Plan Foundation the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Mass School Nurses Association • Mass. Wellness Campaign Mass. Wellness Campaign A m ajor m obilization can m ake a difference Mass. Wellness Campaign 4