Policy & Prevention Chronicles: Quarterly Newsletter
Winter 2016 Issue 3
Tobacco Use in the
Behavioral Health
Community: A Wake-Up Call
By Kim Bayha, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator
Tobacco use is the biggest killer of people with mental
illness, including those battling addiction. This might be a
surprising fact when we think about all the positive strides
made in tobacco control. However, there still remains a
significant health disparity between the behavioral health
community and the general population.
What’s Inside...
Page 2 Local churches adopt smoke-free policies
Page 2 Office of Policy & Prevention at SOPHE
Page 3 Healthy transportation guru visits
Most are familiar with the data showing that individuals Page 3 Safety tips for cyclists of all ages
with lower incomes and education levels have higher
Page 4 Meet our staff
tobacco use rates. But there is a lesser talked about
Page 5 A year in review
disparity, gaining national and statewide attention.
Individuals with mental health illness and/or substance Page 6 Meet the interns
abuse addiction are disproportionally impacted by tobacco
use. This population is also the least likely to be protected by tobacco-free policies, partly due to the
prevalent attitude that tobacco use is the least of their problems. What we are learning is this approach is
perpetuating a tobacco-related health disparity.
Forty-four percent of all cigarettes consumed in the US are by people with mental and substance use
disorders — consistent with NC data. And contrary to popular belief, individuals who are battling addiction
or mental illness want to quit tobacco just as much as the
general population.
With tobacco use being the primary killer, persons with
serious mental illness are dying a full 25 years earlier than
the general population. One study tracked people who
had been in treatment for an addiction found that 51% of
their deaths were caused by tobacco. Research also
suggests that if a smoker discontinues their use of
tobacco products, while in treatment for alcohol or drug
addiction, their recovery outcomes improve by 25%.
The Good News
As of July 1, 2014, all 14 of the state-operated behavioral health facilities in North Carolina enacted 100%
tobacco-free campuses. A number of local community behavioral health facilities and services are adopting
similar polices. In Mecklenburg County, the county operated detox and addiction treatment facility (Sam
Billings Center) became smoke-free March 2015 (Continued page 2)
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Policy & Prevention Chronicles: Quarterly Newsletter
Winter 2016 Issue 3
after the Board of County Commission adopted the Board of Health Rule for Smoke-Free Government
Grounds. The facility has since transitioned to being operated by Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center,
but has maintained the smoke-free campus policy. Treatment for tobacco dependence is incorporated into
the overall addiction treatment plan, patients are offered nicotine replacement patches and the new culture
of being smoke-free is promoted to patients and families.
Populations who experience higher rates of tobacco use are in the highest need for tobacco-free
environments. Technical assistance for tobacco-free policy adoption, quit support and policy
implementation is available to Mecklenburg County behavioral health services or facilities. For more
information email Kimberly.Bayha@mecklenburgcountync.gov.
To learn about the March 22-23, 2016 statewide Breathe Easy Conference visit: http://nctobaccosummit.org
Local Churches Embrace Tobacco-Free
Policies
With guidance from the Office of Policy & Prevention, two
area churches recently adopted tobacco-free policies. Centro
Centi Church and Maranatha Seventh-Day Adventist Church
recently adopted smoke-free property policies that will
improve the quality of life for their community. We applaud
both churches on their commitment to promoting healthier
lifestyles within their congregations.
OP & P Staff Presenting at National Conference
Danielle Gilliard, Youth Engagement Coordinator, and Kim Bayha, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, have
been selected by the National Society of Public Health Educators (SOPHE) as presenters for their upcoming
2016 conference in Charlotte. Danielle and Kim will be presenting their 2015 Tobacco-Free Meck Tool-kit,
which used e-advocacy and health education strategies to educate k-12 youth and college students about
County tobacco-free policies and empowered youth and young adults to become tobacco-free peer
educators and advocates.
Additionally, Danielle will be presenting on her work around food access and nutrition through “A Fresh Look
at School Food.” Developed in response to alarming statistics on childhood obesity, “A Fresh Look at School
Food” aims to utilize community collaboration to facilitate sustainable changes in the school food culture
that will increase healthy eating among Charlotte-Mecklenburg students— ultimately impacting childhood
obesity.
For information on how you can register for this year’s SOPHE conference, please
visit http://www.sophe.org/AnnualMeeting2016.cfm.
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Policy & Prevention Chronicles: Quarterly Newsletter
Winter 2016 Issue 3
Mecklenburg County Visited by Prominent “Healthy
Transportation” Guru, Gil Penalosa
In October, world-renowned “healthy transportation” expert, Gil Penalosa,
visited Charlotte and its surrounding communities to speak with public health
professionals, community members, and County and City officials on the
importance of developing infrastructure that promotes healthier lifestyles.
Drawing from his time as Commissioner of Parks, Sport, and Recreation for the
City of Bogota, Colombia, Penalosa detailed the importance of developing and
sustaining built environments that provide opportunities for all citizens to recreate and engage in healthy
activities...all the while keeping in mind the question “how do we want to live?” Currently the Director and
Chair of the Board for the non-profit, 8-80 Cities, Penalosa detailed how Mecklenburg County and the city of
Charlotte could implement some of the same strategies that have shown to be successful in other major
metropolitan areas like Boston, Paris, and Toronto. He also emphasized that we need to dignify sidewalks as
places where critical transportation and recreation take place and to remember that our streets are public
spaces where more than just operating motor vehicles can happen.
As a result of Penalosa’s visit, Charlotte has received a Knight Foundation Grant to implement four “Open
Street” initiatives in 2016 and 2017.
6 Tips for Cyclists of All Ages
6. Enjoy It and Have Fun: Whether you are riding for transportation or exercise, bicycling is a fun activity for
many. Following these few tips can help ensure your next ride is a good one.
5. Avoid Distractions: Similar to driving a car, it is important that cyclists reduce distractions as much as
possible. This includes using a cell phone or MP3 player while on the streets, or engaging in conversations that
can take your eyes off the road.
4. Know the Rules: Understanding your state’s bicycle laws is vital. Each state has certain laws that pertain to
cyclists that work to keep cyclists safe. Before you hit the streets, be sure you review your state’s laws by
visiting this website www.BikeLeague.org/StateBikeLaws.
3. Riding 101: Knowing how to properly operate a bicycle can be a lifesaver. If you are planning to take your
bicycle on the streets, we recommend taking an approved bicycle safety course. Contact Dick Winters at
Dick.Winters@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for more information on upcoming classes in your area.
2. Be Visible: Wearing light-colored or hi-visibility clothing with reflective material and using a white front
headlight and a red taillight, even when riding during the day makes you more visible to others. Blinking lights
can also help improve your visibility to those around you.
1. Protect Your Head: You only have one head, so be sure you protect it by always
wearing a proper fitting and designed bicycle helmet. Helmets can and do save
lives, so don’t leave home without yours.
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Policy & Prevention Chronicles: Quarterly Newsletter
Winter 2016 Issue 3
OP & P’s Reggie Singleton awarded the 2015 MLK
Keeper of the Dream Award
Baba Reggie Singleton was bestowed the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Keeper of the
Dream award at the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Banquet in Charlotte,
North Carolina. The MLK Keeper of the Dream award is given to an individual who
exemplifies the ideals of Dr. King.
Singleton is actively involved with community wide advocacy and mentoring
programs across Mecklenburg County. Through his passion for farming and food
access, Singleton has provides one of a kind opportunities for many of Mecklenburg
County’s youth to gain valuable life skills through working in community gardens, participating in field trips
and through planned mentoring activities.
Congratulations Reggie on this award! It could not have gone to a more deserving person.
Rosa Parks Farmers Market
Opening May 2016
Tuesdays from 10 am– 2 pm
2845 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte, NC (Northwest Health Department)
Cash, Debit & SNAP/EBT accepted
Meet the Staff
In this edition we’d like to introduce you to one of our newest team members,
Elliott Royal. Elliott was hired in late July as the Food Access Coordinator for
Mecklenburg County. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and
energy to the department and community. Improving access to healthy food
remains a priority for MCHD since it plays such an important role in the
prevention of chronic diseases and reduction of health disparities. Elliott is
coordinating initiatives for individuals, families, and communities that
will improve their access to healthy food. Such projects include school gardens,
SNAP/EBT acceptance at farmers markets, and the healthy corner store
initiative.
Born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland, Elliott grew up sailing boats around the
many bays in her home state. Since her move to Charlotte, Elliott has grown to
love the food culture that the Queen City offers. Elliott ventures to new restaurants often to satisfy her
sophisticated palette. She is constantly inspired in the kitchen by Food Network shows “Chopped” and “Iron
Chef.” Elliott also loves to work out and catch up on her favorite Hulu and Netflix shows.
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Policy & Prevention Chronicles: Quarterly Newsletter
Winter 2016 Issue 3
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Policy & Prevention Chronicles: Quarterly Newsletter
Winter 2016 Issue 3
Meet the Interns & Volunteers
The Office of Policy & Prevention is proud to offer competitive, year-round internship and volunteer
opportunities for area college students. Pulling from college and universities across the country, our
interns and volunteers get firsthand experience developing and promoting Policy & Prevention initiatives.
Our goal is to provide a unique working experience for our interns and volunteers to prepare them for the
diverse field of public health. For more information about our internship and volunteer opportunities,
please contact Danielle Gilliard at Danielle.Gilliard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Starr Johnson
Walden University
Focus: Evaluation and School Nutrition Policy
Michael Pella
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Focus: Built Environment, Evaluation, and School Nutrition
Taylor Calamese
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Focus: Tobacco Control and Youth Engagement
Sylvia Sekle
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Focus: Food Access and Tobacco Control
Christiane Matey
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Focus: Breastfeeding, Child Nutrition, and Healthy Food Policy
Pam Armstrong
Appalachian State University
Focus: Health Promotion & Tobacco Control
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