Community changes will help build a healthier DeKalb County and create a more satisfying place to live, work, and play. DeKalb County aspires to have colleges, parks, and other public spaces that residents can visit without being exposed to secondhand smoke. Students will walk to school safely on improved sidewalks and find more fresh fruits and vegetables in their school cafeterias. Adults will choose active transportation options that use public trails. At-risk county residents will be reminded of the adverse effects of obesity and tobacco use through Twitter and Facebook. Low-income neighborhoods will have greater access to fresh produce, helping to make the healthy choice the easy choice.
To decrease the prevalence of obesity, DeKalb County is taking action to:
- Continue to develop the Safe Routes to School program to improve safety and encourage more students to walk or bike to school.
- Launch a social media and community mobilization campaign that includes use of Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms to educate low-income and at-risk adults and youth on the adverse effects of obesity.
- Implement key steps of DeKalb's Master Active Living Plan and Master Agricultural and Urban Plan, and enhance these plans.
To decrease tobacco use, DeKalb County is taking action to:
- Support county colleges and universities, including Emory University, in their plans to reduce student exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Launch a media campaign that includes use of Twitter, Facebook, and other social media to educate low-income and at-risk adults and youth on the risks associated with tobacco use.
- Work with local partners to develop guidelines that encourage a reduction of secondhand smoke.
For more information, read the original profile on the CDC website.