by Vimie Magsino
In 2014, the North Carolina Division of Public Health (DPH) was awarded Obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (ODHDSP) funding for the implementation of population-wide and priority population approaches to prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and the reduction of related health disparities among adults. This award will be administered by the Community and Clinical Connections for Prevention and Health Branch, housed within the Chronic Disease and Injury Section of DPH.
The work will focus on the following:
- Environmental strategies to promote and support healthy eating and active living
- Strategies to build support for healthy lifestyles, particularly for those at high risk to support diabetes, heart disease and stroke prevention efforts
- Health system interventions to improve the quality of health care delivery to populations with the highest hypertension and pre-diabetes disparities
- Community-clinical linkages that bridge community prevention efforts with health care systems
Beginning in 2015, environmental strategies will be directed toward the entire adult population within five funded regions (see gray area on the map). Lifestyle change programs and health care systems activities will specifically target populations at high risk for type 2 Diabetes; racial/ethnic groups with significant disparities in the burden of stroke, diabetes and obesity; and Medicaid beneficiaries with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
One of the strategies identified is the implementation of Faithful Families program. Five ODHDSP Regional Coordinators housed in a local health department in each of the five targeted regions will work with at least 10 faith communities each year. The Regional Coordinators will provide technical assistance to faith communities for food and beverage standards, promote physical activity through signage, social support and joint/shared use agreements and promote Diabetes Prevention Programs.
For more information about the ODHDSP grant and other strategies through this funding, please visit: http://www.communityclinicalconnections.com/ODHDSP/index.php
For more information about the implementation of Faithful Families as an ODHDSP strategy, please email: Vimie Magsino at Vimie.Magsino@dhhs.nc.gov or call 919-707-5245.
Vimie Magsino serves as the Program Specialist for Faithful Families, Eating Smart and Moving More, a partnership between the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the North Carolina Division of Public Health. Her work is focused on program implementation and evaluation of Faithful Families, a practice-tested health promotion intervention that promotes healthy eating and physical activity in communities of faith throughout North Carolina.
