UVM Food Systems Spire of Excellence: Transdisciplinary Research …€¦ · · 2010-11-02Vermont Department of Health 3 10 Essential Public Health Services (Centers for Disease

Vermont Department of Health

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UVM Food Systems Spire of Excellence:

Transdisciplinary Research for a

Healthier Vermont

Wendy Davis, MD--Commissioner

November 1, 2010


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Objectives

Understand the critical connections between public health practice and the Food Systems Spire of Excellence.

Describe examples of current public health activities in promoting healthy nutrition, food safety, and agricultural health/safety.

Identify opportunities for transdisciplinary research and outreach between the Vermont Department of Health and key partners.


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10 Essential Public Health Services (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)

Monitor health status to identify/solve community health problems

Diagnose and investigate

health problems/hazards in the community

Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues

Mobilize community partnerships/ action to identify and solve health problems

Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts

Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety

Link people to needed health services and assure provision of health care when otherwise unavailable

Assure competent public and personal health care workforce

Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services

Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems


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CDC Six Winnable Battles of Public Health (Frieden)

Leading causes of illness,

injury, disability, death

Evidence-based, scalable

interventions exist

Efforts likely to make a

difference

Results possible in

1 to 4 years


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10 Essential Services: Monitor Health Status

Childhood Obesity Trend

Trends in Overweight (>95th Percentile of BMI)

among 2-5 Year Olds - Vermont (WIC population)

and U.S. (PedNSS)

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

1981

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

Vermont

U.S.


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10 Essential Services: Policies/plans to support health efforts

Promoting Healthy Nutrition/Preventing Obesity • Menu labeling

• Built environment (rail trails)

• Community gardens

• Changes in school cafeteria

selections (Farm to School)

• Running/bike/hiking clubs

• Weight control programs

• Increased awareness

• Health care provider guidance


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10 Essential Services: Policies/plans to support health efforts

Promoting Healthy Nutrition

Mission: Protect/Promote Optimal Health for

All Vermonters

Vision: Healthy Vermonters Living in

Healthy Communities

Changing the “obeseogenic” environment:

• Increase fruit/veg consumption

• Retail Environment

• Built environment


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Changing the environment


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Vermont Farm to School

Act 145 Farm to school bill• Mini Grants

• Training &

Technical Assistance

Partners:• Agency of Agriculture

• Department of Health

• Department of Education

• Vermont FEED

(Food Education Everyday)


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Promoting Healthy

Nutrition

Healthy Retailer Project• Community assessment tool

• Marketing/promotion of affordable, healthy choices

Built environment Project• Town planning/zoning support the

food system and healthy activity

• Farmers markets, community gardens

• Safe routes to school; rail trails

Emphasize policy and environmental changes!


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10 Essential Services: Diagnose/Investigate Health Problems/Hazards

Food Safety

Science-based prevention model—reduce hazards in: food production, preparation, service

Provide TA, science-based expertise to small food businesses (processing, mfr.)

Evaluate effectiveness of “alternative” cleaning products used in food prep, production

Food science, sanitation & food micro as integrative research domains


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Food Safety

Raw Milk

Environmental monitoring

around Vermont Yankee

Nuclear Power Station

(people, livestock)

Emergency

preparedness


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Agricultural Health

and Safety

Social determinants: aging, poverty

(health disparities)

Occupational/environmental

exposure

• Higher injury, mortality rates;

behavioral health

Health care infrastructure

• Access to care (behavioral health)

• Barriers to emergency response


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Agricultural Health and Safety

Tremendous potential for transdisciplinary research

• Focus on decreasing occupational injury risks (livestock, machinery)

• Chronic disease, disability (toxic & sun exposure, arthritis, stress re: work hours, financial concerns, isolation)


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Keys to Success

Leadership

Partnerships

Policy matters!

• Change behavior

• Change the

environment


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Questions?www.healthvermont.gov

Documents

UVM Food Systems Spire of Excellence: Transdisciplinary Research …€¦ · · 2010-11-02Vermont Department of Health 3 10 Essential Public Health Services (Centers for Disease