Examples of Policies that Promote Heart–Healthy and Stroke–Free Communities for Governors

Support coordinated school health programs designed to prevent risk behaviors that contribute to heart disease and stroke

Michigan's Coordinated School Health Program, managed by the Michigan Departments of Education and Community Health, has been nationally recognized as a leader in promoting the health of young people through innovative curricula and strong state and local policies. Michigan has developed state–of–the–art, research–based curricula in health education and physical education as well as a sophisticated regional dissemination, training, and technical assistance system. This system has led to the widespread use of Michigan's health education and physical education curricula, not just across the state but nationwide as well.

For example, the health education curriculum is now used in 94% of Michigan's school districts and in school districts in 42 states. Moreover, coordinated school health programs in Michigan schools have resulted in many changes in physical activity and nutrition policies, including the establishment of daily salad bars, taste–testing to identify healthier choices that students will like, limitations on the days that fried potatoes are offered in school cafeterias, daily fitness activities in the classroom, and staff health promotion programs.

The Michigan Coordinated School Health Program has strong support from the state Board of Education, which in 2003 recommended that every Michigan school district adopt its own coordinated school health program with a school health council to guide it and school health teams in each school to carry out the program. The board also passed a policy recommending that physical education programs in every Michigan school offer at least 150 minutes per week of physical education for elementary school students and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students.

Set an example by establishing a tobacco–free policy in public buildings, including schools and campuses

In 1988, California became the first state to launch a comprehensive tobacco control program. Over the past 17 years, the program has made significant progress toward a tobacco–free California through the efforts of local health departments, community–based organizations, a statewide media campaign, and other statewide support systems. Activities are diverse and include free telephone service to help smokers quit and a smoke–free workplace law. Because of this statewide law, virtually all of the state's indoor workplaces—including restaurants, bars, and gaming clubs—are now smoke free. In 1999, the state cigarette excise tax rose from 37 cents a pack to 87 cents a pack.

These efforts have made a difference in smoking rates among both adults and young people. In 2004, 14.7% of California adults smoked cigarettes down from 18.6% in 1996, according to the state's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. In addition, from 2000–2004, the percentage of high school students that used any tobacco product declined from 27.8% to 19.2%, and the percentage of high school students who smoked cigarettes declined from 21.6% to 13.2%. Between 1990 and 2000, per capita cigarette consumption declined by 51% and was the lowest of any state in 2000 and 2001. California's tobacco control program demonstrates how effective such a program can be when it is supported by adequate resources and sustained over time.
 

Date last reviewed: 05/12/2006
Content source: Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion