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To your health, Lincoln County: Supporting an epidemic of health

July 02, 2009|Patricia A. Calico, DNS, RN

By Patricia A. Calico, DNS, RN

Actions speak louder than words. Do you actually believe this? If we, the people of Lincoln County, do believe that actions speak louder than words, then we have some actions to complete and others to initiate related to health promotion. Most people that I know in Lincoln County want the very best for their children and grandchildren in terms of education, lifestyle and success. They also want their children to be healthy and have excellent health care. In contrast, did you know that the major cause of disease and early death is prevalent among our teens? The Kentucky Institute Of Medicine/Foundation for Healthy Kentucky (KIOM/FHKY) County-by-County assessment results show that 30% of Lincoln County high school students smoke. The prevalence of smoking among Lincoln County youth exceeds both state (25%) and national (21%) averages for high school students (KIOM/FHKY, 2007).

Each year more than 8,000 Kentuckians die of tobacco related illnesses including lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Other tobacco related conditions include increased risk for cataracts, infertility, osteoporosis, gingivitis, oral cancer, tooth decay and tooth loss. So the issue is not just about smoking, it is about all tobacco use, as the terrible impact of "spit" tobacco continues to grow.

"Medicaid and Medicare costs exceed $1.2 billion each year for treatment of Kentuckians suffering from smoking-related diseases and conditions. This equals $300 for each of the 4 million people living in Kentucky." (Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services).

To actually help our children succeed and be healthy, we must prevent them from ever starting to use tobacco products or help them to quit if they do smoke or use spit products. Children must also be protected from exposure to secondary smoke. So what is our challenge and how can we do this?

Adults can serve as role models by not smoking or using other tobacco products! We can continue local and statewide educational programs that promote non-use of tobacco products. We can widely promote smoking cessation programs offered by the Lincoln County Health Department and incentivize those who complete the program and remain tobacco free.

What about community- wide tobacco free anniversary events to celebrate those who quit smoking and, by doing so, start an epidemic of health promotion and prevention in Lincoln County?

We must maximize voluntary changes by businesses and public organizations like schools to provide tobacco free environments. So give a big 'thank you' to hair salon, restaurant and other business owners who voluntarily provide a tobacco free environment.

When you encounter a business that is not smoke free, ask the proprietor to protect our children from secondary smoke by providing a smoke free dining or shopping experience. T he community can get behind the Lincoln County Health Department and the Lincoln County Schools as well as support the actions of the Lincoln County Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU).

Why not let all teens involved in TATU know what a great job they are doing to promote the health of Lincoln County students. You can also personally contact a member of the Lincoln County Board of Health and/or a member of the Lincoln County Board of Education and express your support for tobacco free public spaces and educational campuses.

Use your creativity to develop other initiatives that create an epidemic of health. You can be the agent of change!

Patricia A. Calico, DNS, RN is a Faith Community Nurse and an Adjunct Professor of Nursing.

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