District 4 is committed to helping our communities attain their highest level of health. We do this through our chronic disease prevention programs that educate and encourage people to adopt healthy habits such as healthy eating, participating in physical activity, and avoiding tobacco and nicotine products; including e-cigarettes (vapes). Adopting these healthy habits can help prevent the development of obesity-related chronic conditions, like heart disease and stroke, cancer and diabetes.
Eat Healthy
Eating healthy helps prevent, delay, and manage heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. A balanced diet of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products is important for all ages. If you are overweight, losing even 5% to 7% of your body weight can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Visit the below resources to learn more about healthy eating.
Get Regular Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health! It provides immediate and long-term health benefits that can help you prevent, delay, or manage chronic diseases. Aim for moderate physical activity (like brisk walking or gardening) for at least 150 minutes a week. Visit the below resources to learn more about regular physical activity.
Diabetes Prevention Program
Type 2 diabetes is caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently, which leads to high blood glucose (sugar) levels. More than 70 million Americans don’t realize they have prediabetes, and without taking action, they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
District 4 offers the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). This program offers CDC-approved curriculum that is proven to help people with prediabetes prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. As part of DPP cohort, you will work with other participants and a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills you need to make lasting health changes. These changes include losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.
DPP is a year-long program that meets once a week for 6 months, and then 1-2 times a month for the remaining 6 months. One of the easiest ways to find out if you quality for this program is to Take The Test | Prediabetes | CDC. Be sure to save your results to share with us. This program is offered at no cost to eligible participants! For enrollment information contact our Chronic Disease Prevention Program Manager, Staci Cacioppo at staci.cacioppo@dph.ga.gov
Tobacco Use and Prevention
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in Georgia and is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. While adult tobacco use in the state has steadily declined over the past few years, alternative tobacco use (i.e., e-cigarettes) rates have increased, particularly among youth. Almost 1 in every 5 high school students in Georgia are current tobacco users of cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, or electric vapor products (Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2021). If you would like to host a tobacco prevention education class or event, contact our Chronic Disease Prevention Program Manager, Staci Cacioppo at staci.cacioppo@dph.ga.gov
Georgia Tobacco 21 Law Information
Senate Bill 375-Tobacco 21 La
The state of Georgia implemented Senate Bill 375-Tobacco 21 Law on July 22, 2020. This law raised the minimum legal sales age for tobacco products to 21 years old. Specifically, the law states that the sale or barter, directly or indirectly, of any cigarettes, tobacco products, tobacco-related objects, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products to anyone under the age of 21 years is illegal in Georgia.
Tobacco Retailers
Licensed tobacco retailers play an important role in ensuring the success of reducing access and use of tobacco products by complying with the Tobacco 21 law. Retailers are responsible for upholding the Tobacco 21 Law, which is enforced by the Georgia Department of Revenue. To comply with the law, retailers must:
- Display Tobacco 21 signage in clearly visible locations
- Use a state-issued driver’s license, military ID, and passport to verify individuals’ age
- Train all staff on the following steps for every tobacco sale
- Ask for valid ID from everyone attempting to purchase tobacco products
- Check ID to make sure everyone is 21 years and older
- Refuse to sell tobacco products to everyone under 21
Failure of retailers to comply with the Tobacco 21 law will result in a misdemeanor.
E-Cigarettes (Vapes)
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other vapor products are used to heat and aerosolize (turn into particles) liquid known as e-juice (vape juice) containing highly addictive nicotine or other substances that a person can inhale into their lungs. The use of these products is commonly referred to as “vaping.”
Vape aerosols are not harmless water vapors that are inhaled and exhaled. They are unsafe and contain chemicals, metals (i.e., lead, nickel), and other particles that can interfere with lung development and health, and may also increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and asthma complications. Learn more about e-cigarettes here.
Ready to Quit?
Quit smoking, vaping, and use of other smokeless tobacco today! The below resources can help you make a quit plan and achieve a tobacco free life.
- Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (GTQL):
GTQL is a resource available for all tobacco users 13 years and older. Improve your chances of quitting by calling or texting the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (GTQL). Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including holidays) - English (877) 270-STOP (877-270-7867) | Español (877) 2NO-FUME (877-266-3863)
- Hearing Impaired: 1-877-777-653
- Text READY to 34191| Español Text LISTO to 34191
Take the first step and call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for FREE support.
Increasing Health in All Policies
Health in All Policies (HiAP) is a collaborative approach that integrates health considerations into policymaking across sectors to improve the health of all communities and people. District 4 takes on the HiAP approach to achieve the National Prevention Strategy, Healthy People 2030 and our Community Health Improvement Plan goals to improve health outcomes within the counties we serve. We encourage worksites to pledge to adopt and implement policies that support the health and wellness of their employees. These policies may be related to nutrition, physical activity, breastfeeding, or tobacco free living. We are currently providing education and resources to support businesses and community organizations in developing or adopting health policies. To receive more information, contact our Chronic Disease Prevention Program Manager, Staci Cacioppo at staci.cacioppo@dph.ga.gov.
Workplace Wellness
On average, Americans who work full-time spend more than one-third of their day, five days a week at work; and this is why workplaces can and should play an important role in the health and wellbeing of their employees. Does your workplace have established policies, procedures, and/or programs that support the health and wellbeing of employees? Maybe a wellness break is provided, access to a workout facility, a healthy meals policy for meetings and events, a policy that supports breastfeeding, tobacco free campus policy, or health education classes? If no, then reach out to our Chronic Disease Prevention Program Manager for information on how your workplace can improve to better support the health of your employees.
Know Your Risks
If you have a family history of a chronic disease, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes or osteoporosis, you may be more likely to develop that disease yourself. Share your family health history with your doctor, who can help you take steps to prevent these conditions or catch them early.
Not all diseases are preventable but early detection through screening and family history can help your doctor diagnose many different forms of cancer.