Date:

December 4, 2001

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831
Bruce Dart, Health Director, 441-8001

Mayor Don Wesely today announced that the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department will fund four new efforts with the local portion of the national tobacco settlement, which will provide about $608,500 per year for the next two years.

"Through these funds, public health efforts will continue to reach all individuals with personal and environmental health needs,” said Mayor Wesely. “The tobacco settlement funds will be available for 25 years with the expectation that local health departments show measurable and positive results. I believe these new programs will improve the health of our community.”

Of the total, $150,000 must be used to build public health infrastructure to make sure the essential public health core functions are fulfilled. The infrastructure includes health status assessment, public health policy development, and ensuring that public health services are delivered to all populations.

The remaining $458,500 will be used to create new programs or opportunities to improve the health of Lincoln and Lancaster County residents:

• Funding will be provided to assure that safeguards are adequate in the event of emergency response to natural disasters and biological and chemical releases. Funding would also be used for a collaborative effort of the City Council, County Board, and Mayor’s Office regarding environmental public health land use planning issues.

• "Lincoln On The Move” is a chronic disease prevention program that will be directed at lifestyle education and prevention programs that promote physical activity, prevent obesity and encourage dental health screenings. A primary area of emphasis will be placed on prevention programs directed at youth as part of the Healthy Kids 2010 Initiative.

• A program and resource development coordinator will be hired to pursue nontraditional funding opportunities, such as grants from foundations and other state and federal programs. The goal is to make the position self-supporting in the future.

• Public health infrastructure dollars will be used to improve the Health Department’s capacity to manage health data and report health status indicators and program results.

Media Release