Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Obesity, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity are prevalent in Connecticut (CT), with disparities among black and Hispanic youth and adults and low-income populations. With DP18-1807 (1807) funding, the CT Department of Public Health (DPH) will implement the CT State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (CT SPAN) to increase the availability of healthier foods and beverages, create healthier child care environments, promote physical activity, and support breastfeeding. CT SPAN will be characterized by hands-on expert oversight and administration by the DPH team, partnership with experienced contractors, expansion of initiatives begun through CDC’s State Public Health Actions DP13-1305, and stronger relationships with internal and external stakeholders. DPH will address health equity by targeting priority populations with higher disease burden throughout the strategies employed. DPH will employ a multi-pronged approach that will integrate statewide and local-level activities. DPH will create the CT Healthy Communities Project (HCP) which will primarily focus on implementation of foodservice guidelines in a variety of sites and venues within three sub-awarded communities. Concurrently, CT HCP communities will address the other CT SPAN strategies at the local level to ensure an integrated approach. A CT HCP Learning Collaborative will be coordinated by DPH to facilitate communication among the sub-awarded communities and will evolve throughout the project to include a statewide group of stakeholders. Over the course of the project, the CT HCP Learning Collaborative will facilitate alignment of CT SPAN resources, improved targeting of high risk communities, and connection with other local and state community health improvement efforts. DPH will support breastfeeding by employing evidence-based strategies to address maternity care practices in birthing facilities, continuity of care/community support, and workplace compliance with federal lactation accommodation law. Activities include expansion of existing training opportunities for health care professionals, creation of new outreach and education programs for expectant parents and professionals on the importance of breastfeeding, expansion of the existing worksite recognition program and promotion of the newly created child care recognition program. In early care and education, DPH will work with key partners to address priorities identified by CDC’s Spectrum of Opportunities in child care, including revising existing Quality Rating and Improvement System standards to better match existing nutrition, physical activity and breastfeeding best practices and offering training and technical assistance that will support implementation of those standards. To promote physical activity, DPH will work with stakeholders statewide to ensure there is a focus on active transportation plans that promote health and are inclusive of sustainable zoning models and land use. Locally, DPH will partner with the largest CT Council of Governments to conduct Active Living Corridor Studies to connect everyday places in high risk communities. Resident education, input, and support will be a priority. The CRCOG Active Transportation/Active Living Advisory Committee will be expanded into a statewide forum to share lessons learned, communicate progress, and serve as a training opportunity for public health directors on active transportation by national experts. Addressing obesity, and associated risk factors such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and low rates of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, requires a multi-faceted approach targeting CT’s most vulnerable residents. CT SPAN will employ sustainable, evidence-based interventions, aligned with the CDC logic model and tailored to needs of CT communities especially those at higher risk to achieve maximum reach and impact.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
