MNHC News, Past and Present
MNHC Members Receive MCPH Mini Grants
Student choosing fruit & yogurt parfait snack at a beach day celebration |
Two MNHC members received mini grants from the Maine Center for Public Health (MCPH) in 2003.
Healthy Community Coalition, Greater Franklin County received funds for the distribution of car booster seats in the community, and to call attention to Maine's new law requiring child restraint systems for child passengers under age 8. Information about the new law and where low cost/free seats were available was provided in community flyers, information to parents in grades K-2 through school nurses, press releases, a radio show called HealthBeat, and informally through word of mouth to key contacts in day care centers and Head Start. The coalition distributed 134 booster seats at 7 main events throughout the service area. The parent, child and the vehicle the child rides in were present when the seats were distributed. Correct seat belt use, passenger placement and a check of any other car seat in the vehicle was done. If it appeared that a child was exposed to tobacco smoke, smoking cessation information and the State's 1-800-QUIT phone number was discussed and provided to the parent. In addition, school nurses were educated about the new law and were given seats for use when they transport school children.
Improve Your Waistline.
Use the Stairs! |
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Taking the Stairs Improves
Health and Fitness! |
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Your Heart Needs Exercise.
Use the Stairs!
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Greater Waterville PATCH received a grant to fund the "Use the Stairs Project," to purchase 28 "Point of Decision" prompts for use at worksites in the Kennebec Valley Region. These signs were installed at elevators used frequently by employees, encouraging them to use the stairs. The Center for Disease Control's The Guide to Community Prevention Services identifies use of "Point of Decision" prompts as a best practice recommended informational approach to increasing physical activity. It is also a best practice recommended environmental and policy approach to increasing physical activity.
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