Nearly three-fourths of preventable illness and premature death are caused by three things: tobacco use, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. The cost is huge, both in dollars and in human lives. NC Prevention Partners (NCPP) publishes an annual Prevention Report Card, which measures how well our state addresses the three behaviors that cause early illness and death. We use this information to focus our efforts -- concentrating time and dollars on the Fs and Ds, while looking to improve the Cs and Bs. The Report Card is our call to action. See Partner With Us for ways to get involved.
Nutrition grade: D
Two-thirds of adults and one-third of youth in North Carolina are overweight or obese. Excess weight greatly increases the risk of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke and early death. For the first time in 200 years, today's generation might not live as long as their parents. Addressing this epidemic means fundamentally changing our relationship with food. NCPP is working to make healthy choices available and affordable in schools, communities and workplaces. Pick a project below and get involved!
Our Healthy NC Hospitals program works to make sure employees, patients and visitors have healthy food choices in NC hospital cafeterias where nearly a half million meals are served every week.
The Zone Health team has trained dozens of schools and districts to get more physical activity into the school day, provide healthy food choices and prepare staff and students for a lifetime of healthy eating.
The Winner's Circle Healthy Dining program features a logo with a purple star and a gold fork to identify healthy foods anywhere people eat away from home. Going out to eat? Look for the icon.
Our Culinary Competition will celebrate delicious, affordable and healthy food with a competition among hospital chefs and food vendor showcase in October, 2010!
Physical Activity grade: D
Lack of exercise increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. Experts recommend physical activity that raises your heart rate-at least 30 minutes for adults, 60 minutes for children- on all or most days of the week. Less than half of North Carolina's adults and high school students, and only one third of seniors, get this much. A fourth of North Carolinians say they get no physical activity at all.
The best way to boost activity is to make it easy for people to integrate movement into their everyday lives-whether that means more gym classes, safer biking and walking lanes, or worksite incentives.
We are currently targeting schools, through the Zone Health program, as the front line of fitness-a place to foster a love of sports, movement, and the outdoors that can stick with children throughout their lives. We also work with employers to create healthier environments that encourage physical activity during the work day.
Tobacco grade: C
The effects of tobacco use account for nearly one in five deaths a year in the United States-higher than those attributed to HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.
One in four North Carolinians ages 22-55 is a smoker. Alarmingly, nearly one in three young people (ages 18-24) is a smoker. North Carolina has tobacco-free schools and hospitals. Starting in January 2010, all restaurants and bars will be smoke free. These efforts have improved our grade from an F to a C . But, North Carolina still has one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation. Increasing the tax by $1 will keep over 89,000 children a year from starting this addictive habit.
Tackling tobacco addiction takes a mix of smart government policy and comprehensive support for people ready to quit tobacco. NCPP works to address both. We work in clinical and workplace settings to create quit tobacco systems. We also work with state and local legislators to craft policy that will keep all North Carolinians safe from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. Please consider getting involved in these issues.
Getting Started
Whether you represent a hospital, school, or other worksite, NCPP has tools to help you get started. A great first step is the WorkHealthy AmericaSM Assessment. This easy-to-use, online tool evaluates your organization's wellness policies and gives you tailored resources - quick start steps and a robust toolbox - to help improve health and save money.