1. Jason Drenning Ashley Eckes Jessica Eliazar Jessica Elliott
Public Health
Jason Drenning
Ashley Eckes
Jessica Eliazar
Jessica Elliott

2. What is Public Health?
Public health is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community based on population health analysis
"Health care matters to all of us some of the time, public health matters to all of us all of the time“ - C. Everett Koop

3. Public Health Objectives
The focus of a public health intervention is to prevent rather than treat a disease through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behaviors
Modern public health is concerned with addressing determinants of health across a population, rather than advocating for individual behavior change.
Our health is affected by many factors including where we live, genetics, our income, our educational status and our social relationships - "social determinants of health"

4. Facets of Public Health
Epidemiology
Environmental Health
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Biostatistics
Occupational Health

5. Important Public Health Issues
Smoking
Obesity
Stress Management
Physical Fitness
Nutrition
HIV/AIDS
Substance Abuse
Depression
Mental Health
Heart Disease
Maternal/Infant Health
Diabetes

6. Early Interventions
The Romans understood that the proper disposal of human waste was a necessary to the health of communities in urban areas.
The Chinese developed the practice of variolation following a smallpox outbreak around 1000 BC.
An individual without the disease could become immune by inhaling the dried crusts that formed around lesions of infected individuals.
Smallpox - This practice was not documented in the West until the early-1700s, and was used on a very limited basis.

7. 10 Great Public Health Achievements
Vaccinations
Motor Vehicle Safety
Workplace Safety
Control of Infectious Diseases
Decline in deaths from stroke and heart disease
Safer and healthier foods
Healthier mothers and babies
Family planning
Fluoridation of drinking water
Recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard

8. Public Health Today
The developing world remains plagued by largely preventable infectious diseases, exacerbated by malnutrition and poverty.
Infectious diseases such as SARS, have made their way from China to Canada and the United States;
Public health challenges also include the ongoing social, economic and health disasters related to the 2005 Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2006

9. Health People 2010
Provides a framework of national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to health and to establish national goals to reduce these threats
Goal 1: Increase Quality and Years of Healthy Life
Goal 2: Eliminate Health Disparities

10. Impact of Public Health
The dramatic achievements of Public Health in the 20th century have improved our quality of life: an increase in life expectancy, world wide reduction in infant and child mortality, and the elimination or reduction of many communicable diseases.
Since 1900, the average life expectancy for Americans has increased by about 30 years. Over twenty-five of the 30 years can be accredited to public health initiatives, while medical advances account for less than 4 years.

11. Public Health Bills Large Scope Broad
American Public Health Association Priorities
Rebuilding the Public Health Infrastructure
Ensuring Access to Health Care
Eliminating Health Disparities
Prevention
Reducing Health Care Costs

12. Obesity National Health Problem
Contributes to diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, and cancer
Disproportionately affects poor, blacks, and American Indians
Increasing the fastest in children
Importance of Prevention

13. Impact on Public Health
Health Care Costs and Expenditures
Directly associated
According to a recent study, obesity-related medical expenditures in Florida total over $3.9 billion (FDOH, 2005)
Over half of the costs being financed by Medicare and Medicaid (FDOH, 2005).
Indirectly associated
Management of diabetes and secondary diseases
Costs of disability on economy
Florida Department of Health (2005). Obesity Fact Sheet. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from

14. Previous Bills
Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention American Act or HeLP America Act (2004)
The purpose is to improve the health of Americans and minimize health care costs by restructuring the Nation's health care system towards prevention, wellness, and self care.
Urban and Rural Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Act of 2003
To provide assistance for the development of indoor disease prevention and health promotion centers in urban and rural areas throughout the United States.
Right Start Act of 2003
To improve early learning opportunities and promote preparedness by increasing the availability of Head Start programs, to increase the availability and affordability of quality child care, to reduce child hunger and encourage healthy eating habits, to facilitate parental involvement, and for other purposes.

15. Democratic View More funding for physical education in public schools
Strengthening Title IX
Fighting against President Bush’s push to make the title weaker
Affordable Education and Accessible Health Care
Lowering obesity rates will in tern lower insurance costs
Expand funding

16. Republican View Healthy America Initiative
Joint effort with governors both Democratic and Republican
Huckabee, Sanford
Napolitano, Scharzenegger, Vilsack, Bredsen
Raise Awareness of healthy behaviors and risks
“Do it yourself” solution
Put little money into regulation and education
The rest is up to the individual
Cost effective programs

17. Implications
To fix the obesity problem in America it will cost more before it costs less
Those that are already obese
Treatment – or prevention measure
Implementation
Is law the way to go with the obesity issue?
Governmental time frame is often to short
Make sure we don’t “blame the victim”
Encouraging good treatment
Requirements for surgery
Results of expert opinions and recommendations
Fast food lawsuits
Not taking the necessary amount of time to fix the next generation will repeat the problem
Encouraging healthy behaviors without leaving those with medical conditions (thyroid problems, and genetic difficulties) alienated is an important aspect.
By mandating such things like weight requirements for surgery (bariatric) may encourage some to gain weight so that drastic measures are taken.
The Republican Party is a stronger backer or strengthening frivolous law suits against fast food restaurants. We need to be weary of the word epidemic.

18. Childhood Obesity Prevention Act
Rationale for Proposed Legislation
To encourage innovative state and community based activities to help reduce and prevent obesity among children.
Target Group
Elementary and Secondary School aged children.

19. Childhood Obesity Prevention Act
Primary Mechanisms
State and Local Wellness Projects
Commission on Prevention of Obesity
National Health and Physical Fitness Awards

20. State & Local Wellness Projects
State Wellness Project Grants
Award Grants to State Educational Agencies to fund projects related to the creation of nutrition and physical fitness programs targeting school aged children.

21. State & Local Wellness Projects
State Wellness Project Grants
Basic Program Activities:
Collect preliminary data on the State’s obesity prevalence.
Develop and implement school programs that enhance nutritional education and physical fitness programs.
Collaborate with Local Wellness Projects and public/private community-based organizations
Develop State Health Standards.
Report the program results.

22. State & Local Wellness Projects
Local Wellness Project Grants
Award Grants to Local Educational Agencies to fund projects to promote healthier eating habits and increase physical fitness within the community.

23. State & Local Wellness Projects
Local Wellness Project Grants
Basic Program Activities:
Provide a preliminary statement of the community’s needs and the project’s goals.
Promote local awareness of the impact of individual behaviors on health status.
Increase opportunities for physical fitness.
After-school activities, intramural sports, etc.
Provide support to school nutrition and physical fitness services
Training teachers and staff, providing educational materials, etc.
Report the program results.

24. Commission on Prevention of Obesity
Establishment and Purpose
Provide guidance on research, policy formation, and other activities of the Federal government relating to the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Oversight of State and Local Wellness Projects.

25. Commission on Prevention of Obesity
Commission Duties
Collect & review information from Wellness Projects
Provide Feedback
Share information on successful projects.
Create recommendations on a Federal response to obesity prevention and treatment
Develop standards for the receipt of the National Health & Physical Fitness Awards

26. Commission on Prevention of Obesity
Consultation
Representatives of State and local government
Educators
Community based organizations

27. Commission on Prevention of Obesity
Membership
HHS
Department of Agriculture
Department of Education
Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services
CDC
NIH
Private sector representatives
Public Health Organizations, Food Industry, Fitness Industry, etc.

28. Commission on Prevention of Obesity
Report
Every two years
Describe & evaluate current programs
State recommendations on a Federal response to obesity prevention and treatment
Address Healthy People 2010 objectives

29. National Health and Physical Fitness Awards
Program to recognize and award elementary & secondary schools with
Outstanding physical fitness and nutritional education programs
Demonstrated improvements in student fitness, nutritional awareness, and overall health

30. National Health and Physical Fitness Awards
Teacher Achievement Awards
Awarded to teachers, coaches, & other personnel for providing leadership within nutrition and physical fitness programs
Student Achievement Awards
Awarded to students that demonstrate improvements in nutrition awareness, levels of physical activity, and have shown overall health improvements

31. Childhood Obesity Prevention Act
Estimated Costs
State Wellness Project Grants
$500,000 per state grant; 20 state max: $10,000,000
Local Wellness Project Grants
$200,000 per local grant; 100 max: $20,000,000
Must award at least one to each state
Commission on Prevention of Obesity
$200,000 per year

32. Childhood Obesity Prevention Act
It's estimated that the obesity epidemic costs our nation $117 billion per year in direct health care costs and lost productivity (RWJF, 2007).
We must take action now to address this urgent national health threat.

33. Questions?