On Tuesday, March 30th, I was privileged to attend the Healthy Communities through Active Transportation Statewide Conference in Columbus. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) partnered with federal, state and local advocates to promote healthier choices for all Ohio. We shared ideas and discussed plans on how to make our communities healthier and how to encourage active transportation, such as biking, walking and transit. Mark Fenton, walking advocate and the host of the PBS show America's Walking was the keynote speaker and facilitated other sessions during the day. If you ever have the chance to hear him speak, I promise, you won't regret it.

A lot of the discussion at this conference regarded Complete Streets Policies. According to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC): Complete streets are streets that are designed and operated to enable safe and comfortable access for all users, including motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, transit (bus and rail), school bus riders, people with disabilities, delivery and service personnel, freight haulers, and emergency responders. ODOT has recently passed a Complete Streets Policy and other agencies are beginning to follow the trend. Do you know if your community has a Complete Streets Policy?

I encourage you to learn more about active transportation through complete streets. There are a few articles in this month's newsletter to help you get started. You can also visit the highlighted websites and even talk to your local planning departments.

Sincerely,

Kate White
Licking County Wellness Coalition Chair

Active Transportation (AT) is defined as "any method of travel that is human-powered, but most commonly refers to walking and bicycling." Here in Licking County we are trying to promote AT because it has so many benefits.  

One of the great things about AT is it is free! With the talk of increasing gas prices, it is nice to know that walking does not cost you any extra money. If you already own a bicycle, roller blades or a skate board, that won't cost you any extra either.  Even if you don't have these things, the cost and maintenance are much cheaper than that of an automobile.

Another, great thing about AT is it is good for your health. This is because when you are getting from one place to another you are being active when you would normally be sedentary. According to the League of American Bicyclists (LAB), "the average person loses 13 pounds their first year of commuting by bike."

Finally, AT is great for the environment. The LAB website gives some interesting facts like: Did you know that 60% of trips we take on a daily basis are less than 5 miles from home? Did you also know that one gallon of gasoline puts 19.4 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in the air we breathe?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Feb. 10, 2010) - Today, a coalition of health groups released a poll that shows voters overwhelmingly support cigarette taxes and choose cigarette-tax increases easily more so than other ways to balance the state budget. The poll, sponsored by the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, shows that while a cigarette tax was favored, few voters supported other ways of balancing the state budget.

The coalition released its poll at the same time its national organizations released a national report about cigarette taxes. The report comes as states grapple with unprecedented budget shortfalls and face devastating cuts to education, health care and other essential public services. The report details the revenue and health benefits to each state of a $1 cigarette tax increase. The current cigarette tax in Ohio is $1.25 per pack.

The report finds that raising Ohio's cigarette tax by $1 per pack would bring in $299.7 million in new annual revenue to help close the state's budget shortfall, while also reducing smoking and saving lives. For Ohio, a $1 cigarette-tax increase would also: prevent 109,000 kids from becoming smokers; spur 52,600 current adult smokers to quit; save 48,800 residents from premature, smoking-caused deaths; save $2.4 billion in health-care costs. "Taxation on cigarette products is universally recognized as an effective way to reduce tobacco use," said John Hoctor, chief government-relations office for the American Cancer Society. "Increasing the cigarette tax will allow us to continue working toward a goal that will save lives, reduce health-care costs and improve the financial health of our state." 

A nationwide poll released along with the report found 67 percent of voters support a $1 tobacco-tax increase. "This report shows that raising tobacco taxes is truly a win-win-win for Ohio. It is a budget win that will help protect vital programs like health care and education, a health win that will save lives and prevent kids from smoking, and a political win with the voters," said Beverly May, director of the Western States and Ohio, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Tobacco use is the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the United States. In Ohio, tobacco use claims 18,500 lives and costs the state $4.37 billion in health-care bills each year. Currently, 19.4 percent of the states high-school students smoke, and each year, 63,900 kids try cigarettes for the first time. More information, including the full report, state-specific information and detailed poll results, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org/winwinwin.

Source: http://yourethecuregra.blogspot.com/

According to a change in the Ohio Revised Code 4511.81, children younger than 8 or shorter than 4 feet and 9 inches will be expected to use a booster seat while riding in a car. Full enforcement will begin April 7, 2010. The first offense is a minor misdemeanor with fines ranging from $25 to $75 per violation. Children younger than 4 or who weigh less than 40 pounds are still expected to sit in appropriate child restraint. Another addition to the Ohio Revised Code is that children older than 8 and younger than 15 who are not in a child restraint must use the vehicle’s seat belt. A child restraint violation is a secondary offense similar to that of a seat belt violation.

According to the Ohio Department of Health: “at least 34 Ohio children between 4 and 7 died in motor vehicle traffic crashes between 1999 and 2006 and traffic is the leading cause of death for this age group. And, in 2007, only 18 percent of Ohio children ages 4 to 8 used a booster.” 

Always make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the child restraint regarding weight limit and proper use. To determine the appropriate child restraint, choose one that fits your child, vehicle budget, and is easy to use.  If you have questions for or would like to have your child restraint checked by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, please call Kate White or Ashley See of the Licking County Health Department at 740-349-6535.