Stark County Health Department

HEALTH EDUCATION
Injury Prevention	Tobacco Prevention
Public Health Preparedness

The Stark County Health Department provides health education programs to the community in an effort to promote health through education about healthy lifestyle behaviors and to reduce the risks associated with premature death and disability.

Contact the Division of Administration and Support Services for more information on the programs listed.

Injury Prevention

Safe Kids Stark County ( www.starkhealth.org/safekids)

Stark County Health Department is the lead agency for this organization comprised of representatives from health departments, hospitals, safety agencies, law enforcement, fire safety personnel and other child safety advocates. Safe Kids is dedicated to reducing unintentional injuries in children ages 0 -14, which is the leading cause of death and disability for this group. Programs are conducted throughout the year in the areas of child passenger safety, fire prevention, bicycle safety and pedestrian safety. The Safe Kids Coalition is the clearing house for information for all safety areas.

Injury Prevention Grant

The Stark County Health Department is a recipient of an Injury Prevention Program Grant from the Ohio Department of Health. The purpose of these funds is to reduce injuries and injury related deaths to Ohioans through the development of comprehensive multi-faceted population based programs.

The program of the Stark County Health Department focuses on two of the State’s priority areas- the prevention of falls. The goal of the program includes reducing the number of hospital visits from falls to children. The target population is parents of children age 14 and under. Activities focus on educating parents through pediatrician offices. Educational materials are provided to parents on falls prevention. Hospital data is analyzed to monitor emergency rooms visits by children.

The data & research committee of the Safe Kids Coalition analyzes e-code data provided by the five county hospitals. E-codes permit the classification of environmental events, circumstances and conditions as the cause of the injury, poisoning, and other adverse effects. “The use of E-codes together with the code identifying the injury of condition provides additional information of a particular concern to industrial medicine, insurance carriers, national safety programs and public health agencies. External causes of injury and poisonings codes (E-codes) are intended to provide data for injury research and evaluation for injury prevention strategies. E-codes capture how the injury or poisoning happened (cause), the intent (unintentional or accidental; or intentional, such as suicide or assault), and the place where the event occurred. * E-codes are never to be reported as a principal diagnosis.”

The committee analyzes and publishes a report of the data provided and makes recommendations for future programs.

The leading cause of injury is addressed through pediatrician offices and other venues, in order to educate parents.

The most recent copy of the report is available at www.starkhealth.org/safekids/news.htm.

Tobacco Prevention

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Education

Environmental tobacco smoke is a significant health risk to individuals, especially children. Programs are held in conjunction with the Tobacco Prevention Coalition to enhance tobacco awareness. Past accomplishments include the completion of a Smoke Free Dining Out Guide, tobacco billboard contest, school assembly for students and teachers, and a youth tobacco compliance survey.

Smoke Free Workplace Act

On November 7th, voters approved passage of Issue 5 to prohibit smoking in most public places, including bars and restaurants. Despite challenges by opponents, the law went into effect December 7th and remains in effect. The Smoke Free Workplace Act covers all enclosed public places and workplaces. Generally, the law does not apply to homes, cars or outdoor areas.

Businesses are expected to comply with the law requiring business owners:

To post the appropriate sign on all entrances
To remove all ashtrays in the facility
To prohibit employees and patrons form smoking inside the building

On June 27, 2006 , the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office released a report stating the serious health hazards of breathing the toxic chemicals in secondhand smoke and confirming that smoking should be eliminated in indoor spaces. With at least 43 known carcinogens, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a serious public health threat. Ohio ’s Smoke Free Workplace Act is a monumental step toward improving the health of all Ohioans.

In the U.S. , 16 states, Washington , DC and Puerto Rico have passed smoke free laws that include restaurants and bars. There are over 400 U.S. cities with similar laws. Free sings are available at the Stark County Health Department. More information about the law can be obtained at www.odh.ohio.gov or at www.starkhealth.org.

Tobacco Prevention Grant

With funding from the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF), Stark County is addressing the burdens of tobacco use. Several agencies are contracted to address:

- smokeless tobacco use
- youth prevention and cessation
- adult cessation
- school programming
- youth activism
- 100% tobacco-free schools
- tobacco-free workplaces
- minority use and cessation

stand

“ stand up…speak out against tobacco ” is the motto behind stand , Ohio ’s youth led anti- tobacco movement. This campaign is also funded through OTPF to change the whole cultural acceptance of tobacco use, especially among youth. With over 60 teams throughout Ohio , these youth activists are fighting for tobacco free schools, clean indoor air and keeping tobacco from being glamorized in the entertainment industry. In Stark County, all high school youth are welcome to join their school’s team and its efforts. Each school will have their own team and will come together as a countywide team when needed. As each school participates in a variety of activities they will receive points. At the end of the school year each team will be allowed to exchange their points for prizes. The goal is to have every high school represented and participating in various activities. For more information, go to www.standonline.org or email stark@standonline.org

Word of Mouth

Word of Mouth (WOM) was created by the American Lung Association and the Cleveland Clinic Health System both are committed to preventing children from using tobacco and developing a habit that can lead to serious and life-threatening health consequences. WOM is an innovative youth tobacco prevention program that targets children in grades fourth through eighth.

More than 80% of all adult smokers first become regular smokers before the age of 18 and over 90% do so before they leave their teens. For this reason WOM starts in the fourth grade and builds from grade to grade. The object is to reinforce social skills before and during the time when students are most likely to decide whether to use tobacco.

The WOM curriculum follows the Guidelines for School Health Programs to Prevent Tobacco Use and Addiction established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute. Specifically the program is designed to build refusal, communication, decision-making, and goal-setting skills, as well as to provide students with an understanding of the consequences of tobacco use and nicotine addiction.

Please visit the WOM Website at www.ccf.org/health/wordofmouth

Tobacco-Free Schools

A 100% Tobacco-Free School prohibits all tobacco use including smoking and chew anytime during regular hours and after school, anywhere on school property including athletic fields and at all school-sponsored events by everyone including students, staff and visitors. During this Grant year the Health Department will be targeting 5 schools without 100% TFS policies and working with their pre-existing committee or helping them develop one, as well as, working with schools to improve the compliance of their already existing policies. Reaching this goal is extremely important to us. For more information on Tobacco-Free Schools go to www.tobaccopolicy.org

5A’s Smoking Cessation Program and Ohio Quit Line Quit Kits

The 5A’s Smoking Cessation program was developed to assist pregnant women stop using tobacco products. Clinicians are trained to “Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist and Arrange” as they discuss the importance of not using tobacco products while pregnant.

The health department is currently working with OB/GYN offices and clinics to address smoking with prenatal clients. A health educator has trained the staff of these offices to provide cessation information to the prenatal clients. Data is collected on these women, and it is combined to determine smoking rates among prenatal clients in Stark County . The training and all materials are provided free to these offices and clinics through the Tobacco Prevention Grant.

These sites, as well as other health care providers can also be trained in a fax referral process. Through the Ohio Quit Line, physicians and health care workers can be trained to assess a patient’s interest in quitting. If the client is willing, a form is faxed to the Ohio Quit Line and counselors will contact the client and set up a quitting plan. If you are interested in being trained to implement this fax referral process, please contact our department.

Tobacco Prevention Coalition

The Stark County Tobacco Prevention Coalition has 28 members’ from18 organizations. Officially formed in 1997, the coalition’s mission statement is “Dedicated to Increasing the Awareness of the Harmful Effects of Tobacco.” This mission is addressed through advocacy, youth and minority task groups. The Coalition acts as a resource for schools, businesses and community agencies. During the 2007 grant year we will be focusing on developing a strategic plan for Stark County , improving the decision making and communications plan and formalizing the coalition’s structure. To be part of this effort, email gabrelcikt@starkhealth.org .

School Resources

Many resources are available for schools to enhance their tobacco education efforts. These include handouts, games, visuals, videos, pamphlets, incentives and other activities to help teachers. In addition, health educators are available to present to classrooms.

Cessation/Community Resources

Trying to quit smoking is difficult. That’s why the Tobacco Foundation sponsors a free quit line for any Ohio residents. The quit line offers advice, counseling and other options to help individuals stop using tobacco. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW and you will be 5 times more likely to succeed. In addition, the Stark County Health Department has posters, pamphlets and other cessation materials available for individuals or businesses. Click HERE for more resources.

Public Health Preparedness

Since 9/11, all government agencies are required to be better prepared for disasters and other emergencies. The Public Health Infrastructure (PHI) Grant has given public health agencies funding to address preparedness. In Stark County , great strides have been made with building relationships with public health partners such as hospitals, health departments, police, fire, EMA (Emergency Management Agency) and other responders.

Specifically, communications and planning between all these partners have been ongoing for a better response to public health emergencies in Stark County . Much equipment and personnel have been invested in disease surveillance, communications, training and education, personal protective gear and disaster planning. In addition, drills take place annually to keep public health professionals ready for any impending disaster.

For more information on how you can be prepared, go to www.ready.gov or contact the department for resources.

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