Stearns could get up to $917,000 to counteract obesity, tobacco

Area public health agencies are anticipating several million in state grant dollars over the next two years to combat obesity and tobacco use, underlying factors in the leading causes of death in Central Minnesota.

The money is part of the Statewide Health Improvement Program passed by the Legislature in 2008 as part of state health care reform. Lawmakers allocated $47 million for the program.

All three St. Cloud-area counties have applied for the program. Sherburne County has been told it will receive $601,000 over the next two years, said Vonna Henry, public health director.

Stearns County could get as much as $917,000, public health director Renee Frauendienst said.

Benton County's amount is still uncertain.

SHIP is modeled on an initiative called Steps to a HealthierUS, which was tested in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Willmar and Rochester.

The goal was to reduce the state's health care costs by getting "upstream" of health problems, said Cara McNulty, program director with the Minnesota Department of Health.

SHIP aims to encourage policy and environmental changes that make it easier for people to make more healthful choices, she said.

The program focuses on obesity and tobacco use because they are both common in Minnesota and the leading causes of chronic diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes and cancer. Many of the deadly diseases driving up health care costs are preventable, McNulty said.

An estimated 38 percent of Minnesota adults are classified as overweight and one quarter are obese as measured by body mass index. Only 51 percent get 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity five days a week. Eighteen percent of adults smoke.

SHIP is different from past prevention programs because it doesn't just tackle one risk factor in a single setting such as schools, McNulty said. Rather, it involves communities, schools, workplaces and health care systems using strategies proven to work, she said.

Some examples: working with schools to make sure they are providing healthful, affordable breakfasts so students aren't hungry during the day; helping to make communities safer and easier to walk or bike; and promoting farmers markets to make sure the community has access to locally grown fruits and vegetables.