Public Health Issues Including Obesity, Nutrition, Preventive Services, and Mental Health Key Focus of SHIP Task Forces

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The State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Advisory Committee met on July 28, 2015, to review the draft 2015-2020 SHIP. The Advisory Committee, comprised of stakeholders involved with public health including the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED), met to discuss a draft strategic plan developed by three task forces. The task forces were focused on

  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Nutrition
  • Primary care and preventive services
  • Mental health and substance abuse.

The Committee reviewed the problem statements, goals, objectives, activities, and performance measures developed by each of the task forces. Additionally, lead agencies/organizations to work on implementation of the strategies, as well as partner agencies/organizations to help implement the strategies, were discussed.

Many state agencies are involved including the Departments of Health, Human Services, Education, Agriculture, Drug and Alcohol Programs, Veteran Affairs, and Labor and Industry.  The draft plan now moves on for approval by agency heads in various Departments involved in the State Plan process. Task force chairs will lead the implementation process with the Department of Health acting as a convener of the many organizations identified in the process.