Public Health Week calls attention to the public health mission of protecting, promoting and preserving the health of the community. In order to achieve this mission, public health officials work in concert with the community to assure the basic standards are met for all residents to maintain a higher quality of life.

 

“Public health oversees and monitors many entities which influence the wellbeing of our community,” stated Claudia Edwards, Broome County Public Health Director.  

 

Public health programs like the Broome County Sodium Reduction in Communities Grant, work to create policy, systems and environmental changes to reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases of the heart directly impacted by high dietary sodium.

 

The Institute of Medicine reports that on average, Americans consume more than 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends adults should consume no more than 2,300 (mg) of sodium per day or approximately one teaspoon of salt.  Those associated with one or more of the following categories should be less than 1,500 mg per day:

·         51 years of age or older.

·         African Americans.

·         Persons with high blood pressure.

 

Nearly 70 percent of the U.S. adult population falls into one or more of these high risk categories.

 

The CDC has recognized dietary choices including processed foods and restaurant cuisine are a leading cause of high sodium consumption. Avoiding these types of food can be difficult for consumers however; the health consequences can be even more troublesome.

 

According to the New York State Vital Records, Broome County has a high mortality rate for premature deaths associated with cardiovascular diseases (128.9 per 100,000 compared with a state rate of 108.3 per 100,000) and stroke (37.5 per 100,000 compared with an age-adjusted mortality rate of 29.1). 

 

Among high risk populations, African-American males have the highest admission rates for cardiovascular conditions according to hospitalization data from New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Compared to similar counties, the hospital admission rate for hypertension among African Americans in Broome County is twofold. In addition, according to the NYSDOH 2008-2009 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, Broome County demonstrates a higher rate of self reported hypertension compared to the rest of the State. These and other factors indicate the need for preventative efforts to be implemented in the community to reduce heart disease illness and mortality.

 

The Broome County Sodium Reduction in Communities Grant seeks to mobilize community partners to enhance and expand policy, systems and environmental changes that will increase fruit and vegetable consumption, lower sodium content in processed foods and impact the burden of cardiovascular diseases associated with a high sodium diet.  As part of their visit to Broome County, the CDC and NYSDOH will review the coordinated efforts of the health department, local school districts and grocery stores which have increased the demand for food manufacturers to create more low sodium products.    

 

Broome Tioga BOCES Food Service has led the initiative for twelve Broome County School districts to reformulate school lunch menus to reduce the sodium content of schools’ lunches. School officials are moving toward enacting a procurement policy which will increase fresh and local produce and provide priority to vendors with lower sodium items. 

 

Local Broome County grocery stores; Price Chopper and WEIS, have partnered with the Sodium Reduction in Communities Initiative to provide consumer education events, taste testing, low sodium grocery shopping lists and healthy heart information specially geared to helping consumers reduce sodium content in their diets. Both food chains have allowed health department staff to conduct consumer sodium surveys within stores to assist with program evaluation efforts.  

 

Other community partners, such as United Health Services (UHS) have provided healthy heart and low sodium information to consumers in their Stay Healthy Kids and Stay Healthy at Work programs. The Cornell Cooperative Extension created and marketed delicious low sodium recipes that incorporate locally grown produce. The local American Heart Association has supported efforts by helping to coordinate activities which feature messages about sodium reduction as a primary goal for maintaining a healthy heart. The Broome County Office for Aging has been a vocal supporter of the initiative and surrounding efforts.

 

“We commend the efforts and contributions of all community partners involved in the success of Sodium Reduction in Communities program thus far,” added Edwards.

 

To strengthen support for the mobilization efforts, the Broome County Health Department has joined the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI), which is a coalition of cities, states and health organizations working to help food manufacturers and restaurants voluntarily reduce the amount of salt in their products. The goal of the NSRI is to reduce Americans' salt intake by 20% over five years.

 

For more information about National Public Health Week, CDC National Sodium Reduction in Communities Grant, The National Sodium Reduction Initiative visit: