Spitzer Goes Into Schools, Homes to Build 'Healthiest State'

Spitzer Goes Into Schools, Homes to Build 'Healthiest State'

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Schools, homes and workplaces will become the site of new efforts to make New York the "the healthiest state,'' under proposals by Gov. Eliot Spitzer scheduled for release Monday.

The efforts, backed by $200 million in Spitzer's 2007-08 budget proposal, include:

- Requiring "body mass index'' reporting in schools, which calculates the ratio of height to weight.

- New anti-smoking initiatives, including "aggressively promoting'' stop-smoking treatments to New Yorkers in state-funded health programs for the poor and working poor.

- Expanded access to the vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer.

- Further targeting HIV/AIDS programs in minority communities.

- Eliminating trans-fat products in state agencies' next food contracts.

- Improving the training of cancer screeners.

- Creating a home-visit program for new mothers in poor communities.

- Encouraging physical fitness by state employees.

- Reducing the use of toxic chemicals and toxic pest controls in public buildings and schools.

"Health problems block the learning of too many children,'' said state Education Commissioner Richard Mills, when told of Spitzer's general proposals. "That's why the Regents and I have been advocating for stronger collaborations between educators and health providers, both at the state and local levels. I look forward to working with the governor on this critical issue.''

Spitzer said it was part of his effort to alter the direction of health care, shifting the focus from facilities to patients and preventive care.

"For years, the health care debate has focused almost exclusively on institutions that deal with various health problems, such as HMOs, hospitals and nursing homes,'' said Spitzer, an avid runner whose first act of his administration was a dawn jog in Albany. "By shifting focus to the prevention of disease, we can significantly improve public health and help bring exploding health care costs under control.''

The programs are being announced just as Spitzer faces perhaps his biggest challenge so far, in a battle with the Legislature over his proposal to cut health care spending by $1.2 billion. Spitzer said he can redirect funding to be more effective for patients while cutting waste in hospitals.

Lawmakers are fighting the proposal that would result in the closing of some hospitals, often a community's biggest employer.

Russell Sciandra of the Center for a Tobacco Free New York said he hasn't seen the anti-smoking proposals, but the said they match the goals of a state advisory group on which he sits.

"This is certainly in line with the kind of activities we'd like to see,'' he said.