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Communities Putting Prevention to Work
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) program to address two of the leading preventable causes of premature death and disability—obesity and tobacco use. The overall goal of the project is to create a healthier community through policy and environmental changes that will support healthy behaviors and choices.
To learn more about the CPPW program download the “Fifty Communities Putting Prevention to Work: Accelerating Chronic Disease Prevention Through Policy, Systems and Environmental Change”  paper published by the CDC in the Journal of Community Health.
The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) was one of 50 communities across the country funded to help address the issue of obesity and tobacco use.
Community Overview
Three risk behaviors—lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use are responsible for much of the illness, suffering, and early death related to chronic disease.
Did you know?
- Approximately two-thirds of adults in Clark County are overweight or obese, and less than one quarter meets the national guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption.
- Twenty-two percent of Clark County children in grades four, seven, and 10 are obese, which is higher than the national average.
- Among Nevada residents, of which three-quarters live in Clark County, Hispanics and African Americans are at a higher risk for obesity than their White counterparts.
- Approximately 22% of Clark County adults smoke cigarettes, which is higher than the national average.
- Smokeless tobacco usage has increased among youth, a segment of the population that comprises a quarter of Clark County residents.
- Roughly 14% of high-school students in Clark County are current smokers.
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CPPW Champions
We would like to recognize our local CPPW Champions.
These individuals were recently recognized by the CDC for their leadership in the areas of obesity and tobacco use in our community.
Chris Roller
American Heart Association
Jacob Snow
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Valerie Wiener
State Senator
Dr. Charlene
Day
First African Methodist Episcopal Church & Education for Quality Living
Allison Moser
American Lung Association
Jeff Jordan
Rescue Social Change Group
more successes >>
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Community Vision
The policies, systems, and environments around us, including our communities, worksites, transportation systems, schools, faith-based organizations, and health care settings shape the pattern of our lives and our health.
Community changes will help build a healthier Clark County and create a more satisfying place to live, work, play and worship. We aspire to create an environment in Clark County where:
- Residents and visitors are no longer exposed to secondhand smoke.
- Access to healthy food and opportunities to be physically active are plentiful.
- Cigarette butts will not litter college campuses and parks.
- Our streets and communities are built in a way that encourages active transport and plans will be in place to help ensure that kids can safely walk and bike to school.
- Parents in public-housing will no longer be concerned about their children breathing in secondhand smoke
- School lunches will be healthier.
- Youth will learn about the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke through Facebook and Twitter, and residents will better understand the health and economic impacts of tobacco use.
- Child care providers and after-school programs will provide opportunities for physical activity and will help ensure that our youth have access to healthy foods.
Community Action
Community action is focused on obesity and tobacco-use issues in Clark County. SNHD will work with our community partners as follows:
Obesity
- Implement “Complete Streets,” a policy that requires streets to be designed to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and patrons of public transportation.
- Develop and implement physical activity and nutrition standards for after school programs and child care centers in Clark County.
- Create a media campaign to increase awareness of the importance of environmental factors in preventing obesity.
- Encourage farmers’ markets to accept electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards as a form of payment from eligible recipients.
- Mark, with appropriate signage, and promote use of trails, bike lanes and park paths as means of active transport and physical activity.
- Provide additional fruit servings in breakfast and lunch meals and eliminate trans-fat from all Clark County School District prepared and served meals.
- Place point of purchase signage highlighting healthier versus non-healthier food options in worksites across the county.
- Ensure that places of faith serving communities with greater risk of obesity implement healthy food policies.
- Expand the “Safe Routes to Schools” program.
Tobacco Use
- Develop a media campaign that educates residents on the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke. Media channels will include television, radio, Internet, and social media.
- Work with statewide partners to educate the public on the health and economic benefits of reduced access to tobacco products.
- Ensure on-site smoking-cessation services are available and accessible to community members, especially public-housing residents.
- Collaborate with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to limit tobacco advertising on campus as consistent with Federal law.
- Protect and expand the statewide clean indoor air law
Leadership Team
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SNHD CPPW Tobacco & Obesity Leadership Team Members:
Back Row: Terri Janison, Jacob Snow, Christopher Roller;
Front Row: Allison Newlon Moser, Senator Valerie Wiener, Belinda Thompson, Linda Anderson;
Not pictured: Assemblywoman April Mastroluca, Tina Quigley, Larry Matheis, Kelly LeGrow, Lynn Rosenbach, Donna Fairchild |
To oversee and guide the strategic direction of the project, SNHD has drawn upon its established community relationships and existing partnerships to develop a strong and highly committed leadership team and coalition.
All members support the goals of the project and have the capacity to shape and/or influence public health policy and to advise on project planning, implementation and evaluation. The leadership team includes representatives from the following organizations:
- American Heart Association
- American Lung Association of Nevada
- Southern Nevada Health District
- Community Health Division, Southern Nevada Health District
- Goshen Community Development Coalition
- Office of the Governor
- Nevada Office of the Attorney General
- Nevada State Legislature
- Nevada State Medical Association
- Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
For more information about the national Communities Putting Prevention to Work project, download the CPPW program brochure. PDF
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