Oral

An important element of the public health agenda is to help people better understand the risks associated with health-compromising behaviors, and in so doing help them to reduce their health risk. Smoking cessation programs have been a successful example of this model. California has one of the lowest rates of adult smoking in the world. Our first presentation will look at how laws may contribute to lower smoking rates, with the target of <10%. We will then present a model implemented in Maine to leverage funding for tobacco cessation to also address the public health issues of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention. Next we will discuss a needs assessment implemented to facilitate development of strategies to reduce alcohol-related risk behavior in adolescents and young adults (12-25 years old) including underage and binge drinking. We will then discuss statewide efforts in Indiana aimed at reducing unintended pregnancies through collaboration among public and private health professionals, clergy, human service providers and family planning providers. Finally, we will present a model collaborative intended to prevent urban youth violence through a consortium including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and representatives of the country’s 45 largest cities.

Session Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will be better able to: • Identify the core strategies embodied in tobacco control laws introduced in a range of jurisdictions and countries to the present time. • Identify policy changes to enhance state and community reaction to childhood obesity; • Identify the specific underlying principles, assumptions and strategies used to achieve statewide consensus. • Discuss the applicability of the lessons learned and consensus building process to the issue of unintended pregnancy to their own community • Discuss the role of policy in developing the necessary foundation for effective youth violence prevention

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing