NC SOPHE Legislative Agenda for 2008

During the 2008 session of the NC General Assembly, NC SOPHE will follow and support public health issues included in the budget for Stat Year 2008-2009, including funding to fight obesity, funding of the NC Tobacco Us Quitlin and funding for local public health infrastructure.

NC SOPHE also supports efforts to make more North Carolina places smoke-free.

www.ncallianceforhealth.org

www.smokefreenc.org

NC SOPHE
Legislative Agenda/Position Statement

The North Carolina Chapter of the Society for Public Health Education (NC SOPHE) is made up of health professionals who dedicate time, energy, and resources to improving the health and well being of NC residents and its visitors through prevention efforts, educational campaigns, and disease management strategies.  The primary membership base is made up of Health Educators who have studied the art and science of motivating change in individuals and groups to positively impact the health of the general public.

The following is an outline of issues that NC SOPHE supports.


Issue 1: Eliminating Health Disparities

NC SOPHE advocates for increased funding for data collection and analysis for under-served racial and ethnic groups, as well as evaluation of programs which identify and address underlying causes of health disparities.

NC SOPHE advocates for increased educational opportunities and scholarships to recruit and train health educators and other health care professionals so that they can work with under-served racial and ethnic groups.

NC SOPHE advocates for hiring and promoting racial and ethnic minority faculty in professional preparation programs in health education and health careers.

NC SOPHE advocates professional training to increase cultural competence of all health professionals.

NC SOPHE advocates increased funding opportunities for programs and services focused at addressing the health needs of racial/ethnic minorities in the areas of: diabetes, cancer, prenatal care, asthma, hypertension, and other preventable lifestyle related conditions.
 

Issue 2: Smoke-Free Environments

NC SOPHE advocates improved air quality for all of NC, including but not limited to, schools, restaurants, and public venues.

NC SOPHE advocates programs and services that address prevention of tobacco-use and/or smoking cessation.

NC SOPHE advocates an increase in the state's cigarette tax by 75 cents to reduce tobacco use by North Carolina citizens, especially youth.


Issue 3: Physical Inactivity
           
NC SOPHE advocates policy and environmental change that encourage physical activity for all NC citizens and its visitors.

NC SOPHE advocates for the development of communities which are walkable and bikeable and free from dangers for safe physical activity.

NC SOPHE advocates for increased funding opportunities for expansion of organized sports for NC residents of all ages.
   

Issue 4: Healthy Eating

NC SOPHE advocates policy initiatives to improve the food choices in restaurants, schools and other public venues, such as sporting events and concerts.

NC SOPHE advocates recognition and marketing initiatives, such as Winner’s Circle, for restaurants statewide that offer healthy food choices.

NC SOPHE advocates research and development of agricultural advances to improve the quality of NC foods/crops.

NC SOPHE advocates increased funding opportunities and initiatives for NC Farmer’s Markets to increase awareness and utilization of produce growers in NC.


Issue 5: School Health
               
NC SOPHE advocates increased funding and opportunities for healthier food choices in NC schools.

NC SOPHE advocates effective delivery of health and physical education to students in all grade levels in NC schools.

NC SOPHE advocates for increased opportunities for physical activity during and after the school day.

NC SOPHE advocates for 100% smoke-free schools in NC.

NC SOPHE advocates counseling and social services for students in NC schools.

NC SOPHE advocates for children with asthma, diabetes, and other chronic diseases to manage their disease at school with medication and medical equipment as needed.


Issue 6: Workplace Health

NC SOPHE advocates workplace policies that encourage and facilitate employees to work in a safe and healthy environment, free from injury, Environmental Tobacco Smoke, harassment, and other debilitating factors.

NC SOPHE advocates physical activity opportunities and equal time for “fit breaks” to counteract the effects of “smoke breaks” for employees.

NC SOPHE advocates healthy food choices not only in the workplace but at work related functions such as company picnics and other social events.


Issue 7: Public Health Infrastructure

NC SOPHE advocates a restaurant grading system that is familiar and simple for the public to understand. 


Issue 8: Aging Coalition

NC SOPHE advocates for appropriate funds to educate Certified Nurse Assistants and Personal Care Aides in a continuing effort to strengthen the long term care work force.
           
NC SOPHE advocates to improve Senate Bill 10 1999 to authorize DHHS to revoke licenses of Adult Care Homes who are part of chains whose facilities are persistent violators  of NC laws and regulations and who are beneficially owned or operated by a common entity.

NC SOPHE advocates to restore the NC income tax credit for long-term care insurance which expired December 31, 2003

NC SOPHE advocates to expanded use of Medicaid funds for adult day services.



NC SOPHE reserves the right to advocate other issues as they arise in response to current events, public health emergencies, and opportunities to evoke positive change.