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Promoting Smoke-free Environments

Promoting Smoke Free Environments is one of the four strategic objectives of the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) Initiative. In an effort to promote smoke-free environments in multi-unit housing, HEAL has partnered with the management of various properties to encourage smoke-free polices and enhance smoke-free environments. During outreach activities, HEAL Staffers supplement smoke-free messages with instruction, exercises, and demonstrations that address healthy eating and active living, and chronic disease prevention. Sub-topics include: accessing healthy foods, making healthy foods and snacks, understanding and deciphering nutrition labels, understanding the MyPlate concept, cooking with family, weight management, daily exercise, and physical fitness.

Community forums have also been held at churches and community centers.

Through these community forums, HEAL has identified the need for comprehensive and preventive health messages to be delivered in community settings. Private multi-unit housing establishments have clearly articulated an extensive need for resources and materials on smoking cessation programs, technical assistance, capacity building, nutritional classes, physical fitness, and linkages to other community programs.

While the partnership between HEAL and several multi-unit complexes to establish smoke-free policies and environments are under consideration, HEAL is pleased highlight plans to work collaboratively with the Woodland Springs Apartments, to establish smoke-free policies aimed at meeting their September 2013 date for going smoke-free.

Success Story – Promoting Smoke-free Environments

Partnership with United Healthcare Community Plan and Community Services Foundation

The HEAL Initiative has collaborated with United Healthcare Community Plan and Community Services Foundation, by participating in various community events to promote the health and wellness of children, adolescents, and adults. Topics covered include: the importance of dental hygiene, reading food labels properly, understanding risk behaviors and chronic disease prevention, weight management, physical fitness, daily exercise, and healthy eating. The HEAL Team also provides informational materials on health and wellness. Some events have included Kids Fit activities at the following locations:

Glenarden Community Center, Glenarden, MD
Queenstown Apartments, Mount Rainier, MD
Hunter Memorial AME Church, Suitland, MD
Woodland Springs Apartments, District Heights, MD

Other Partnerships

Food and Friends, United Healthcare Community Plan, and HEAL, in collaboration with Community Services Foundation/Edgewood Management, have conducted health and wellness educational forums for adults in Capitol Heights, Glenarden, and Mount Rainier.

Smoke-Free Forums

In collaboration with the Prince George's County Health Department's (PGCHD) Divisions of Addictions and Mental Health and Environmental Health, HEAL has conducted two smoke-free forums since March 2013. In addition to PGCHD Staff, forum participants included Property Managers from the following Companies:

Del Management Services
Equity Management II, LLC
Gates, Hudson & Associates
Habitat America
RIMSI Corporation
The shelter Group

Coming Soon: Promoting Smoke-Free Environments on Hospital Campuses: Partnerships between HEAL and Local Hospitals

Promoting Smoke-free Environments