The Vermont Department of Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD March 2013 Health in Mind: Improving Education Through Wellness

The Vermont Department of Health Academic success is tied to health  A students are almost twice as likely to get regular physical activity than D or F students.  Physical activity can help students focus, improve behavior and boost positive attitudes.  There is an association between nutrition and student academic performance: improved learning readiness, academic achievement, as well as fewer discipline and emotional problems.  You can’t learn if your aren’t in school

The Vermont Department of Health You are part of the solution

The Vermont Department of Health Determinants of Health Factors influencing Health Status

The Vermont Department of Health

Improvements in Longevity 100 years of Progress

The Vermont Department of Health 1991: Prohibit sales <18 yrs 1995: VKAT begins 1997: Prohibit vending machines; possession illegal 2002: Tax to $ : Tax to $ : Tax to $ : Tax to $ : OVX begins 1995: Smokefree schools : TCP started with MSA 2001: Quit Line begins 2007: Youth access Quit Line What we know from Tobacco…

The Vermont Department of Health …Obesity is going in the wrong direction

The Vermont Department of Health Vermont has a Big Problem “… poor diet and physical inactivity may soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death.” Because of obesity 1 in 3 children born in the US will develop diabetes in their lifetimes. “…For the first time in two centuries, the current generation of children in America may have shorter life expectancies than their parents” Actual Cases of Death in the United States, 2000, JAMA, March 10, 2004–Vol 291, No. 10 N Engl j med 352;11-New York Times March 17, 2005 JAMA 2003 October 8;290(14):

The Vermont Department of Health Vermont can do better  1 in 4 students in Vermont are Overweight or Obese 1  53% of VT high school and middle schools offer sugar drinks as competitive foods 2  42% of VT high school and middle schools allow advertising of less healthy foods 2  51% of VT high school and middle schools offer less healthy competitive foods 2 1 – 2011 VT YRBS 2 – 2011 CDC Children’s Food Environment State Indicator Report

The Vermont Department of Health We Support the CDC Coordinated School Health Model  Through a Coordinated School Health approach we can improve students’ health and learning ……

The Vermont Department of Health 8 Components of Coordinated School Health 1)Health Education 2)Physical Education 3)Health Services 4)Nutrition Services 5)Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services 6)Healthy and Safe School Environment 7)Health Promotion for Staff 8)Family/Community Involvement

The Vermont Department of Health Quality Learning Standards They ensure that kids in school are “fit, healthy and ready to learn.”

The Vermont Department of Health What Can You Do?  School Health Services: ensure school nurse leadership in every SU to improve outcomes for students.  Health Education: ensure licensed and certified health educators grades 7-12 to provide high quality health education to our students.  Graduation Requirements should include Health Education.

The Vermont Department of Health  Physical education in Grades K-12  30 minutes of physical activity daily What Can You Do?

The Vermont Department of Health What Can You Do?  Close campuses  Ban competitive food  Clean drinking water

The Vermont Department of Health What can you Do?  Follow federal guidelines  Ensure adequate staffing and time for meals  Universal access to school meals

The Vermont Department of Health Future considerations- CDC Grant  Support and promote the school nurse leader services delivery model  Expand the model to strengthen the role of food service and physical education staff  Strengthen coordinated school health  Explore implementation of state and local policies and practices for healthy nutrition and physical activity

The Vermont Department of Health Eat Well Move More Learn Better Live Longer