20162016YEAR IN REVIEW

ACTIVE LIVING

FOOD ACCESS & NUTRITION TOBACCO YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

OFFICE OF POLICY & PREVENTION

In May & October, Open Streets 704 events brought out a combined 20,000 community members for an afternoon full of Car(e)-Free Streets! Two more events are planned for 2017, with the potential for more in future years.

5 Learn-to-Ride events took place throughout the year. This event provided over 500 children & adults an opportunity to learn how to ride a bicycle. Learn-to-Ride also received one of Endurance Magazine’s “Best of” awards in 2016.

A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on the Charlotte Area Transit System Lynx-Blue Line Extension was completed. This HIA was highlighted at a national conference in July.

The first ever Tobacco-Free Behavioral Health Summit brought 69 state and local leaders in tobacco control and behavioral health together to promote mental health facilities adoping tobacco-free policies.

Cessation efforts continued with Mecklenburg County’s multi-unit housing entitites adopting robust smoke-free policies. Our friends with Mecklenburg County’s Pediatric Dental Clinic also began implementing tobacco QuitLine referral systems to provide tobacco cessation support resources to families of patients. To date, over 83 caregivers have accepted Quit resources.

Our tobacco control work was highligthed at the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the American Public Health Association’s annual conferences.

The Rosa Parks Farmers Market began in June and attracted over 3,000 community members throughout the farmers market season. As the only EBT accepting farmers market in the area, Rosa Parks Farmers Market earned a combined total of $15,000 - with EBT payments accounting for just over $1200.

The Healthy Corner Store Initiative officially kicked off in October. Aimed at improving the availablity of healthier food options in food priority areas, 10 corner stores have taken the charge to be a part of our pilot program. More improvements to the stores will be forthcoming, including public artwork, permanent bicycle racks and greater access to tobacco cessation resources.

The HealthyWeight, HealthyChild Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative officially joined Mecklenburg County Public Health and is planning to release the “Why Water?” initiative in Spring 2017.

6060Environmental Changes

The Internship, Volunteer and Youth (IVY) Program was developed to offer high school, college and adult learners exposure to policy, systems, and environmental work, and develop professional skills vital for success in the public health industry. In 2016, we welcomed 16 talented interns & volunteers who provided valuable support on our many initiatives.

Mission Possible, our youth-led coalition, was asked to present to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Student Health Advisory Council on ways to improve healthy food options in school cafeterias and concessions. A healthy concessions toolkit will be provided to interested schools in Spring 2017.

Area high schools competed in the Fresh Empire: Queen City poster and video PSA contest aimed at promoting tobacco-free lifestyles. The overall winner of this year’s contest was Independence High School’s DREAM Team.

Policy, Systems &