From the Chairman of the State Board of Health Jack O. Lanier, Dr. P.H., MHA, FACHE

The State Board of Health provides leadership in the planning and policy development for the Commonwealth and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in order to implement organized, prevention-oriented programs that promote and protect the health of all Virginians. The Board also serves as the primary advocate and representative of the citizens of the Commonwealth in achieving optimal health.

All of the health professions are represented by a least one member of the Board. Accordingly, the Board is diligent about and committed to serve the best interest of all citizens of the Commonwealth. It is important to note that the programmatic initiatives of state and local agencies are continually assessed to ensure the health and well-being of Virginians is protected.

Of primary interest to the Board are the public health and medical-related issues identified annually by the Executive Branch and the General Assembly. Additionally, the efforts of the corporate community toward maintaining a healthy workforce throughout the Commonwealth remain a high priority of the Board.

Last year, we collaborated with the State Board of Education to develop a Joint Committee report. The report, issued in September, examined a wide range of issues pertaining to nutrition and physical fitness levels of Virginia students in grades K-12 and established a response to expressed concerns about increases in childhood obesity rates. The Joint Committee believed that improvements in the nutritional environment within schools and an increase in physical activity levels of students can create significant long-term improvements in health status and educational achievement, and reductions in health care expenditures.

During a retreat last August, the Board of Health formally adopted chronic disease prevention and control as a long term priority - from the perspective of both a policy- making body and as a public health advocate. The goal of our strategic imperative is to reduce the occurrence of chronic disease in Virginia while also mitigating its impact. We support a multi-pronged and well-coordinated effort employing the resources of both the public (state and local government) and private sector to prevent and control chronic diseases. We also support programs and policies that promote healthy behaviors; avoidance of known risk factors, such as tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity; and the evidence-based management of chronic diseases.

We will continue to identify key issues and develop purposeful and strategic initiatives for meeting our goals. I look forward to continuing to work closely with my fellow Board of Health colleagues as we strive to advance the quality of life for all Virginians through improved health.