State

An update on tobacco control initiatives in comprehensive cancer control plans
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance on evidence-based tobacco control activities and other cancer prevention strategies in two capacity building documents titled, “Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs,” and “The Guide to Community Preventive Services.” A recent article in Preventing Chronic Disease examines comprehensive cancer control (CCC) coalitions and the extent to which their formal plans follow these CDC tobacco control and funding recommendations. Results of the study show that while most CCC plans follow CDC recommendations, not all recommendations are addressed by every plan. Researchers conclude that clearer explanations of tobacco control priorities from CDC will lead to improved compliance and effectiveness of such measures in the future. Click here to read more.

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National

The state of US health: Innovations, insights, and recommendations from the Global Burden of Disease Study
A new report from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, 2010 provides an in-depth look at modifiable risk factors that pose substantial health threats in the US. The report sheds light on growing disparities in life expectancy across US counties and the lives lost to heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, COPD, road injuries, suicide, and diabetes.  Report findings show that while disability-adjusted life years (total of years of life lost and years lived with disability) attributable to smoking in the US decreased by 9% between 1990 and 2010, smoking ranked second only to dietary risks among lifestyle risk factors for health loss. Researchers recommend policymakers increase tobacco use monitoring and tobacco control efforts, especially in communities that still have high levels of tobacco consumption. The report recommends stepped up efforts including tobacco taxation, labeling, bans on tobacco advertising and sponsorships, and expansion of clean air ordinances. The report also recommends innovations in programs intended to help smokers quit. To read the report, click here.

National Prevention Council 2013 Annual Status Report
The National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council released their Annual Status Report. The report provides a progress update on the National Prevention Strategy, including a section on tobacco free living that highlights the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Housing and Urban Development efforts. The report also outlines a shared national prevention council commitment to tobacco-free policies. To view the full report, click here.

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