Dramatic expansion of state public health system benefits all Nebraskans In 1889, the first City Health Department in Nebraska was established in Lincoln. Nearly 30 years later, in 1917, the Nebraska State Department of Health was founded. By 1950, both Lancaster and Douglas counties had established county health departments. But in 2000, at a time when most Midwestern states had well-established statewide public health systems, only 22 of Nebraska's 93 counties were served by local health departments. Now, only two years later, work is in progress to establish local health departments throughout the state. Why the sudden turnabout? Thanks to the Nebraska Legislature's allocation of $11.2 million from the Nebraska Tobacco Settlement Fund, Nebraska is making strides toward creating the type of public health system many states have taken for granted for decades. For an updated list of local health departments, check the Public Health Association of Nebraska website at www.publichealthne.org. Because Nebraska has been without a statewide system for so long, many residents are uncertain how public health services impact them personally. Pat Lopez, MSN, RN, and president of the Public Health Association of Nebraska, said, "Most people think that public health systems focus on providing health care services for lower-income populations. While many times we do provide those types of services, our true focus is on the assessment of health issues, the development of public health policies, and the assurance that all Nebraskans have access to public health services. From air, water, and food quality to behavioral lifestyle issues, we are working very hard to improve the health and quality of life for all Nebraskans. And without a strong statewide network, we will be unprepared to effectively handle significant outbreaks of contagious diseases or to respond to environmental or biological threats." In addition, the local health departments can provide a wide range of information and education on important health issues such as:
Nebraska's public health system addresses many issues from teen pregnancy and drug/alcohol education to obesity, cancer,and heart disease. While public health initiatives have made significant strides improving the public health, we still face substantial challenges. The introduction to the Nebraska 2010 Health Goals and Objectives, which is anticipated to be released in the spring of 2002, states: During the last decade, a great deal of progress was made in improving the health of Nebraskans. For example, death rates for coronary heart disease have declined. Significant progress has been made in diagnosing and treating cancer and in reducing the rate of teen pregnancies. The proportion of preschool children who have received recommended vaccinations has increased dramatically. More children under age five are buckled into car seats or safety restraints when riding in a motor vehicle, and more adults report using seatbelts. Still, diabetes-related deaths continue to rise in Nebraska. The prevalence of obesity has reached a new high in the state, and more than one-quarter of adults do not participate in any physical activity in their leisure hours. Binge drinking and cigarette smoking rates among adolescents have increased. Infant mortality and low birthweights continue to be much higher for some racial and ethnic minority groups than for white Nebraskans. A closer look at some of Nebraska's leading causes of death as reported in the Nebraska 2010 Health Goals and Objectives and the Nebraska Health and Human Services System website reveals a myriad of public health issues that touch nearly every Nebraskan. Coronary Heart Disease Diabetes Obesity Cancer Tobacco In March 2000, the Nebraska Legislature
directed $7 million per year for three years to the Tobacco Free Nebraska
Program to conduct a comprehensive tobacco control and prevention program.
The program operates according to the "best practices" advised
by the CDC and has four basic goals:
Infant Mortality To find out more about Nebraska's public health system, visit the Public Health Association of Nebraska website: www.publichealthne.org.
CONTACTS: Bruce Dart, President-Elect David Corbin, Ph.D., APHA Affiliate Rita Parris, Marketing Director |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Public Health: Extending Life Expectancy Expanding in Nebraska Today people are living longer than ever before. In 1900, the life expectancy for the average American was under 45. Now it's in the upper 70s. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this 30-year life span increase is due, in large part, to public health initiatives. Five of those years can be attributed to improvements in drugs and medicine. The other 25 years are the result of public health initiatives such as vaccination, sanitation, chlorination, and pasteurization. Public health provides broad protection in areas affecting our entire population--assuring that our air, water, and food supplies are clean and protected from disease and contamination. Nebraska public health system expanding In Nebraska, your local health department works with other organizations to address a broad range of health issues. Nebraska is in the process of expanding its statewide public health system. Prior to 2001, only 22 of Nebraska's 93 counties were served by local public health departments. By the end of 2002, nearly all of Nebraska's counties will have access to a local or district health department. This expansion is funded by an $11.2 million allocation from the Nebraska Tobacco Settlement Fund. These funds are available to counties to develop and enhance local health departments. Visit www.publichealthne.org for updated information on local health departments. Essential services of public health As Nebraska expands its public health
system, it will be following national recommendations in the development
of policies and services. These recommendations use the broad-based
essential services of public health to provide the framework for an
integrated public health system.
For more information on public health issues and services in Nebraska, visit the Public Health Association of Nebraska website: www.publichealthne.org. CONTACTS: Pat Lopez, President Bruce Dart, President-Elect David Corbin, Ph.D., APHA Affiliate Rita Parris, Marketing Director
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