286859
Making the case for comprehensive smoke-free multi-unit housing: Building a healthier Jackson County
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
INTRODUCTION In 2011, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) received a Community Transformation Grant to support chronic disease prevention for Jackson County, Missouri. MARC has partnered with the three area public health departments that serve Jackson County: the Kansas City, Independence, and Jackson County Health Departments. Jackson County has over 40,000 multi-unit housing residences. More than 2000 of these are public housing units. Currently there are no overarching smoke-free policies that apply to these multi-unit residences. METHODS MARC and the three health departments are in the process of meeting with the Housing Authorities in Jackson County to discuss potential approaches for establishing smoke-free policies in multi-unit housing developments. The Housing Authority of Kansas City (HAKC), the largest housing authority in the county, has expressed interest in working with residents to implement a comprehensive smoke-free policy. An initial resident survey will be conducted this spring, which will inform policy proposals made to the HAKC board. Ongoing evaluations will take place as policies are implemented by the HAKC, other public housing authorities, and possibly private housing facilities. RESULTS Results of the Multi-Unit Resident Pre-Survey will be presented. The results will include surveys completed at all of the complexes managed by the HAKC. These results will highlight knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of proposed SF MUH ordinances within their complex. DISCUSSION Smoke-free policies for multi-unit housing could protect thousands (over 5000 in public housing and an estimated 100,000+ in all multi-unit housing) from the harmful effects of second hand smoke.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Learning Objectives:
Describe the process of working with residents of public housing complexes to explore possibilities for implementing comprehensive smoke-free policies.
List effective tools for evaluating smoke-free multi-unit housing policies.
Discuss MUH policy options specific to the needs of private multi-unit housing complex owners and operators.
Keyword(s): Smoking, Housing
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Donna Martin, MPH, AICP, has been Program Manager for the Community Transformation Grant since January 2012. She coordinates CTG related activities between MARC, the health departments serving Jackson County, and other stakeholders. She also monitors evaluation activities and the general administration of the grant. She holds a BA in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Baylor University, a Masters of Planning and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Minnesota
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
