The Stark County Health Department provides health education programs to the community in an effort to promote health through education about healthy lifestyle behaviors and to reduce the risks associated with premature death and disability.

Contact the Division of Administration and Support Services for more information on the programs listed.

Injury Prevention

Safe Kids Stark County ( www.starkhealth.org/safekids)

Stark County Health Department is the lead agency for this organization comprised of representatives from health departments, hospitals, safety agencies, law enforcement, fire safety personnel and other child safety advocates. Safe Kids is dedicated to reducing unintentional injuries in children ages 0 -14, which is the leading cause of death and disability for this group. Programs are conducted throughout the year in the areas of child passenger safety, fire prevention, bicycle safety and pedestrian safety. The Safe Kids Coalition is the clearing house for information for all safety areas.

Injury Prevention Grant

The Stark County Health Department is the recipient of an Injury Prevention Program Grant from the Ohio Department of Health. The purpose of this grant is to reduce injuries and injury related deaths to Ohioans through the development of comprehensive multi-faceted population based programs.  The program of the Stark County Health Department focuses on Sports Injury Prevention for children 14 and under, as well as general childhood injury prevention.  Activities include:  Sports Safety Trainings for Stark County Youth Coaches, Parent Education through Pediatrician and Physician Offices, Health Care Provider Education through a Childhood Injury Prevention Seminar and Surveillance of Childhood Injuries through Data Collection and Annual Childhood Injury Reports.

Sports Safety Trainings for Stark County Youth Coaches
Through a partnership with Mercy Medical Center’s Sports Medicine Program, free trainings are offered to coaches of youth sports leagues in Stark County.  Topics include: Life Threatening Injuries, Non-Life Threatening Injuries, Heat Illness, Concussion Prevention & Recognition and Basic First Aid.  Trainings are held throughout the year.  Head Coaches are provided a first aid kit for their teams.  All teams that develop a policy requiring that coaches attend this training may be eligible for equipment stipends to assist with needed safety devices.  For more information or to sign up for a clinic, please contact the department.

Pediatrician and Physician Office Education
Educational materials and resources are provided to physician and pediatricians.  Age specific fact sheets, brochures on various risk areas and risk area fact sheets are provided.  The staff members are encouraged to provide these materials to parents at every visit.  New information and resources are also provided as it becomes available.  Physicians may also request specific injury prevention tools (such as information on specific topics, posters, videos, etc.).

Childhood Injury Prevention Seminar
Each year, a childhood injury prevention seminar is held for physicians, nurses, EMS providers, Athletic Trainers, Health Educators and other health care providers.  Continuing Education credits are available and educational resources are provided. Speakers discuss leading trends in childhood injury prevention – such as concussion prevention, recognition and treatment.  For more information or to register for any upcoming seminars, please contact the department.

Surveillance & Childhood Injury Reports

Tobacco Prevention

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Environmental tobacco smoke (also called ETS or secondhand smoke) is the smoke you breathe that comes from other people, whether they exhale it or it comes from the tobacco burning near you, like the end of a cigarette (sidestream smoke). Environmental tobacco smoke is a proven health risk to individuals, especially children. ETS contains more than 4,000 chemicals and at least 40 known carcinogens (cancer causing agents). Programs are held in conjunction with the Tobacco Prevention Committee, a part of the Anti-Drug Coalition, to enhance tobacco awareness for adults, as well as youth.

Smoke Free Workplace Act

In November 2007, voters approved passage of Issue 5 to prohibit smoking in most public places, including bars and restaurants. Despite challenges by opponents, the law went into effect as of December 2007 and remains in effect. The Smoke Free Workplace Act covers all enclosed public places and workplaces. Generally, the law does not apply to homes, cars or outdoor areas.
Businesses are expected to comply with the law requiring business owners:

• To post the appropriate signage on all entrances
• To remove all ashtrays in the facility
• To prohibit employees and patrons form smoking inside the building

On June 27, 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office released a report stating the serious health hazards of breathing the toxic chemicals in secondhand smoke and confirming that smoking should be eliminated in indoor spaces. With at least 43 known carcinogens, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a serious public health threat. Ohio’s Smoke Free Workplace Act is a monumental step toward improving the health of all Ohioans.
In the U.S., 25 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico have passed smoke free laws that include restaurants and bars. There are over 700 U.S. cities with similar laws. Free signs are available at the Stark County Health Department. More information about the law can be obtained at www.odh.ohio.gov or at www.starkhealth.org.

Cessation

Trying to quit smoking is difficult. That’s why the Ohio Department of Health sponsors a free quit line for any Ohio resident. The quit line offers advice, counseling and other options to help individuals stop using tobacco. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW and you will be 5 times more likely to succeed. In addition, free tobacco cessation for smoking and other forms of tobacco is offered through Mercy Medical Center and Aultman hospital. Click HERE for more resources.

• Tobacco-Free Workplaces: In conjunction with the cessation, worksites may receive free consultation on going 100% tobacco free. Tobacco-free worksites encourage employees to quit smoking and make healthier choices

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5A’s Smoking Cessation Program

The 5A’s Smoking Cessation program was developed to assist pregnant women stop using tobacco products. Clinicians are trained to “Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist and Arrange” as they discuss the importance of not using tobacco products while pregnant.

The health department is currently working with OB/GYN offices and clinics to address smoking with prenatal clients. A health educator has trained the staff of these offices to provide cessation information to the prenatal clients. Data is collected on these women, and it is combined to determine smoking rates among prenatal clients in Stark County. The training and all materials are provided free to these offices and clinics through the Tobacco Prevention Grant.

Youth Prevention

100% Tobacco Free Schools: Not all schools in Stark County are!  A true 100% tobacco free school “prohibits all tobacco use by all students, staff and visitors, at all times and at all school events”. A Health Educator is available for consultation and tips for school districts wishing to go tobacco free. For more information on Tobacco-Free Schools go to www.tobaccopolicy.org

Tobacco Prevention Committee

The Stark County Tobacco Prevention Committee, a part of the Anti-Drug Coalition, has 32 members from organizations throughout Stark County. Officially formed in 1997, the committee’s mission statement is as follows: “The Stark County Tobacco Prevention Coalition has a duty to enhance the health of all community members. We will promote a healthier lifestyle for all through tobacco prevention, cessation and education.” The Committee acts as a resource for schools, businesses and community agencies.

School Resources

Many resources are available for schools to enhance their tobacco education efforts. These include handouts, games, visuals, videos, pamphlets, incentives and other activities to help teachers. In addition, health educators are available to present to classrooms.

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Public Health Preparedness

Since 9/11, all government agencies are required to be better prepared for disasters and other emergencies. The Public Health Infrastructure (PHI) Grant has given public health agencies funding to address preparedness. In Stark County , great strides have been made with building relationships with public health partners such as hospitals, health departments, police, fire, EMA (Emergency Management Agency) and other responders.

Specifically, communications and planning between all these partners have been ongoing for a better response to public health emergencies in Stark County . Much equipment and personnel have been invested in disease surveillance, communications, training and education, personal protective gear and disaster planning. In addition, drills take place annually to keep public health professionals ready for any impending disaster.

For more information on how you can be prepared, go to www.ready.gov or contact the department for resources.

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