lems and health hazards in the com- munity.
3. Inform, educate, and empower peo- ple about health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that sup- port individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that pro- tect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provi- sion of health care when otherwise unavailable.
8. Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and popula- tion-based health services.
10.Research new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
The policy also affirms TMA’s stance that health departments should receive adequate funding “to provide these es- sential services in every Texas commu- nity deliberately and apart from indigent care.” The House of Delegates also adopted a policy on core public health functions: “The Texas Medical Association affirms the need for the practice of the core pub- lic health functions of assessment, assur- ance, and policy development as distinct, inherently governmental, complementa- ry, and necessary to support population health in each Texas community.” TMA clarified its policies on local public health authorities and training. New policy states TMA “recognizes that there is an interdependence between medicine and public health and supports the preservation of the local health au- thority role as the bridge between both.” The policy urges DSHS to encourage local public health entities “to collabo- rate with county medical societies to strengthen the bond between medicine and public health.” PHFPC is evaluating and recommend-
ing improvements to the definition of public health in Texas and vetting the Minimum Package of Public Health Services recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in its 2012 report
46 TEXAS MEDICINE October 2013
Obesity among preschoolers declines in many states
After decades of rising rates, obesity among low-income preschoolers de- clined slightly in 19 states and U.S. ter- ritories from 2008 through 2011, accord- ing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jer-
sey, South Dakota, and the U.S. Virgin Islands saw at least a one-percentage point decrease in their rate of obesity. Twenty states and Puerto Rico held steady at their current rate. Obesity rates increased slightly in three states. Previous research shows that about one in eight preschoolers is obese in the United States. Children are five times more likely to be overweight or obese as adults if they are overweight or obese between the ages of 3 and 5 years. The study did not include Texas and seven other states. “Although obesity remains epidemic, the tide has begun to turn for some kids in some states,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD. “While the changes are small, for the first time in a genera- tion they are going in the right direction.
titled For the Public’s Health: Investing in a Healthier Future. Dr. Riggins says the concept is gaining momentum nation- ally and advocates consistent funding for public health agencies so they can imple- ment population-based health improve- ment strategies in addition to fulfilling a safety net role. To read the IOM report, visit
www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_ id=13268.
“Our committee’s work will be vital to ensuring Texas is prepared for any changes in federal funding approaches. Ultimately, it’s increasingly clear that funding and policy changes at the fed- eral and state levels will be necessary to realize improved health outcomes from our health care expenditures,” Dr. Rig- gins said.
Obesity in early childhood increases the risk of serious health problems for life.” CDC researchers analyzed measured weight and height for nearly 12 million children aged 2 to 4 years who partici- pate in federally funded maternal and child nutrition programs. Forty states and the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories (U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) were included in the report. The data come from the Pediatric Nutri- tion Surveillance System. “Many of the states in which we’re see- ing declines have taken action to incor- porate healthy eating and active living into children’s lives,” said Janet L. Col- lins, director of CDC’s Division of Nutri- tion, Physical Activity, and Obesity. CDC encourages state and local of- ficials to step up efforts to drive down rates of childhood obesity. Business leaders, child care providers, health care professionals, community leaders, and families are some of the groups that in- fluence nutrition and physical activity in the places where young children live, learn, and play.
State and local officials can assist these groups by:
• Making it easier for families to buy healthy, affordable foods and bever- ages in their neighborhoods;
• Helping provide access to safe, free drinking water in places such as com- munity parks, recreation areas, child care centers, and schools;
• Helping local schools open gyms, playgrounds, and sports fields during nonschool hours so children can play safely after school, on weekends, and over the summer;
• Helping child care providers adopt best practices for improving nutrition and physical activity and for limiting computer and television time; and
• Creating partnerships with civic lead- ers, child care providers, and others to make community changes that pro- mote healthy eating and active living.
For more information, access the Au- gust 2013 issue of Vital Signs at www
.cdc.gov/vitalsigns.
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