University of Southern Mississippi researchers have found a significant decline in the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among elementary age students in Mississippi public schools. The rate dropped from 43.0 percent in 2005 to 37.3 percent in 2011. Data from the 2011 Child and Youth Prevalence of Obesity Study (CAYPOS) also documented a significant drop in the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity for white students, but not for black students. Rates for all students in all grades have … Read more...
Author Archives: frank
Building Mississippi’s Health Insurance Exchange
Legislation to create a Health Insurance Exchange has been proposed in Mississippi for several years. Through the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), grants have been made available to states to develop state-based Exchanges, alternatives to a federally run Exchange. This issue brief summarizes a report by the Center on the current status of Mississippi’s Exchange.
What is a “Health Insurance Exchange”?
Exchanges are intended to:
- Provide for greater choice and value for individuals and small businesses that need to purchase
Secondhand Smoke: Impact on Health and Economy
As state and local policymakers debate proposed laws and ordinances to reduce public exposure to secondhand smoke, many people have questions about the risks associated with secondhand smoke and the potential impact that smoke-free policies may have on the business community.
The Center for Mississippi Health Policy reviewed the scientific literature on the subject and prepared an issue brief summarizing the research, with a particular emphasis on data specific to Mississippi.
Key Findings
Considerable research evidence exists documenting the negative … Read more...
What Do Mississippi Parents Think About Sex-Related Education in Public Schools?
During its 2011 Regular Session, the Mississippi Legislature passed HB 999, which requires each local school board to adopt a policy on sex-related education by June 30, 2012, to implement either an abstinence-only or an abstinence-plus curriculum. The Center for Mississippi Health Policy commissioned Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center to survey parents of Mississippi public school students to assess their attitudes and opinions regarding the content of and methods for delivering sex-related education in the schools. The Center
The Impact of the Farm Bill on Southern States
Ample consumption of fruits and vegetables is important for growth and development, as well as prevention of chronic disease. Yet, few Americans eat enough of them to meet nutrition needs, and many Southern states report very low intake of fruits and vegetables. Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables is consequently an important component in any attempt to improve the nutritional status and health of the population. This goal is difficult to obtain without addressing the accessibility of fruits and vegetables, … Read more...