COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

March 20, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 4, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Srija Srinivasan, Director, Health Policy, Planning, and Promotion

SUBJECT:

Prevention of Childhood Obesity Blueprint and Recognition of Public Health Week

RECOMMENDATION:

1. Accept the Prevention of Childhood Obesity Blueprint

2. Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing April 3-9, 2006 as “Public Health Week”

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all

Goal: 6. Children grow up healthy in safe and supportive homes and neighborhoods

Goal: 8. Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others – achieve a better quality of life.

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government

Goal: 22. County and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate, and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2005-06
Estimate

FY 2006-07
Projected

Number of community members engaged in addressing high priority health issues

296

296

BACKGROUND:

In May 2004, under the leadership of Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, the San Mateo County Health Department and community members convened for the first Healthy Communities Summit to focus on health disparities. Community members recognized that differences in health care and health outcomes in populations are often a result of social and economic factors, and summit participants voiced a commitment to eliminating these differences. One of the three issues prioritized for initial focus was the prevention of childhood obesity.

More than 250 community leaders representing the healthcare, school, after-school, pre-school and broader community/business/environment sectors have been meeting since April 2005 to develop a plan to address the issue of childhood obesity. This planning has been guided by Health Department support, including convening of sector-specific and cross-cutting work groups, analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, and incorporation of “best practices” from a wide range of national sources. The resulting Prevention of Childhood Obesity Blueprint underscores the wide range of factors influencing children’s eating behaviors and physical activity opportunities as well as the strong partnerships that will be necessary to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity in San Mateo County.

The release of the Blueprint aligns with national “Public Health Week,” which has a theme of “Designing Healthy Communities, Raising Healthy Kids.”

DISCUSSION:

The Blueprint outlines several objectives for the community, including the following key milestones for joint action across several sectors:

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By 2007, there will be resources to assist local school districts in developing federally mandated local school wellness policies addressing food served at schools, physical education, and health education;

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By 2010, all residents will have access to high-quality, appealing, and affordable fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods;

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By 2010, there will be a plan in place to provide convenient access to safe, high-quality parks, playgrounds, indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities with affordable programs and green space in all neighborhoods;

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By 2010, San Mateo County will have a youth advisory council to provide input on nutrition and physical activity policy and program decisions;

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By 2010, all healthcare facilities in San Mateo County will create and implement facility wellness policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity environments for staff, patients/clients, and visitors.

The Blueprint describes these and other objectives in greater detail. Leaders representing the healthcare, school, after-school, preschool, and community sectors have committed to working together to reach the outlined goals. Activities planned for Public Health Week have been designed in support of these goals.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no Net County Cost impact associated with accepting the Blueprint or adopting the proclamation. The Health Department has redirected $75,000 toward this effort, which will be reflected in its 2006-2007 recommended budget.