Robin Mayo opened meeting by reviewing information from the Maine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System on smoking rates and cigarette consumption for Mainers, among other data. PPHC members saw that smoking rates are declining among adults and high school students, but that tobacco industry advertising dollars in Maine have increased 108% since 1998 to counteract that trend.

The PPHC and Mayo's diabetes education program have been awarded a $1,600 mini-grant to promote diabetes awareness in our community. Diabetes educator Judy Gilbert said the plan is to distribute printed materials to doctors' offices, schools, CAP locations, the YMCA and elsewhere. Public service announcements will also appear on the local radio station and media in coordination with national Diabetes Awareness Month in November. A lunch & learn is planned for November 10th that will highlight healthy harvest eating through the holidays that will focus on diabetes.

Tom Earley, director of Mayo Regional Hospital's Counseling Program, shared results from the final countywide MYDAUS survey on use of tobacco and alcohol by area youths. There is a jump in use of tobacco and alcohol in high school, although that use starts much earlier. Tobacco is the most used substance, but alcohol carries the highest risk for youth.

Mayo Counseling did not receive the prevention grant it applied for with the Office of Substance Abuse, but Earley shared programs that have been used for substance abuse prevention. Several SHCs expressed their belief that some responses, especially from middle school, have exaggerated the level of substance abuse. Yet there was consensus of the need for a community effort to change the view that acceptance of substance abuse in our culture is a normal behavior. Robin Mayo will be preparing a press release highlighting the findings.

The discussion among SHCs on school nutrition efforts was lively, as they shared barriers to improving nutrition and successes in making positive changes. A common barrier in improving school nutrition is the reluctance to change among school kitchen staff, many of whom are set in their ways, as well as school lunch guidelines that are not nutritious. Having staff undergo school food service certification/training, and exposing them to the operations of other school lunch programs, is an effective way to change entrenched attitudes.

It was reported that the SAD 68 food service director recently received an award of excellence for cutting fats/sugars from food and serving balanced, nutritious meals, and that most food service workers in that district are now certified. SAD 68 would be willing to help other districts, if asked, but does not want to be perceived as pushing an agenda. Penquis CAP, which oversees Head Start nutrition programs in the region, would also be willing to work with area school districts to improve healthy eating habits. It was agreed that a sub-group of the PPHC could be formed to work on school nutrition issues, and that this approach might prove beneficial.

Dr. McDermott provided an update on the Piscataquis County Youth Overweight Collaborative. Representatives from the PCYOC will participate in a panel discussion at the Maine Harvard Research Center Conference on Nov. 29 in Augusta. There is interest at the State Dept. of Education in replicating this school/health provider collaborative model throughout Maine, as Piscataquis is seen as a state leader. The collaborative is pushing its 5-2-1-0 message throughout the community. There was discussion on how best to communicate information on overweight children to their parents, once they are identified through BMI screening.

Susan Crippen provided an update on the Piscataquis County Public Health Feasibility Study, noting that the departure of John Spieker has created a need for a new facilitator to move forward with community meetings.

PPHC members discussed use of the 40 development assets concept designed by the Search Institute. There is interest in exploring the concept further, and the discussion will be carried over until the next PPHC meeting.

Next meeting: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1-3 p.m. at Mayo.

Minutes submitted by Tom Lizotte