Colorado Well being and Nicely-Being Insurance policies Acknowledged – Melissas Meals Freedom

Denver as soon as once more earned an total gold medal from CityHealth for its adoption of insurance policies that deal with important well being disparities and improve residents’ entry to wholesome choices. Aurora improved its medal rating to silver. Colorado Springs is on the bronze stage.

CityHealth, an initiative of the de Beaumont Basis and Kaiser Permanente, yearly evaluates 75 of America’s largest cities for high quality and energy of 12 evidence-based insurance policies to enhance well being. Denver was 1 of seven cities to earn an total gold medal for 2024.

“Good coverage boosts public well being and creates good outcomes for everybody in our group,” stated Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “I am extremely proud that our work to extend entry to secure housing, put money into our inexperienced areas, and construct widespread sense public coverage to guard our youth has been acknowledged, and I sit up for persevering with to cross good coverage that creates a greater, extra vibrant life for Denverites.”

Jeff Krawcek, MD, president and govt medical director of Kaiser Permanente in Colorado, congratulated the cities for his or her recognitions.

“We applaud the efforts of Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs for his or her management in adopting insurance policies that strengthen group well being,” stated Dr. Krawcek. “As a pediatrician, I’ve seen firsthand how these insurance policies enhance the well being of our sufferers and communities. These cities are setting a powerful instance of how considerate coverage can drive significant well being outcomes.”

Strengthening restrictions on flavored tobacco

Denver holds gold medals throughout 5 of the person insurance policies CityHealth assesses, and it simply took a significant step to strengthen its standing. On December 18, 2024, Mayor Johnston signed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco merchandise, together with menthol cigarettes. The coverage additionally covers e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco merchandise, and cigars. Ending the sale of flavored tobacco can cut back use of those harmful and addictive merchandise. And in the end, it helps the well-being of everybody.

As one of many largest nonprofit well being organizations within the state, Kaiser Permanente was proud to be part of the coalition supporting the invoice. Kaiser Permanente hopes the invoice will cut back youth entry to tobacco merchandise, mitigate well being disparities, and help the well being of our communities.

Greater than 81% of youth tobacco customers began with a flavored product, in accordance with the Nationwide Institutes of Well being. The Marketing campaign for Tobacco-Free Children estimates the state’s well being system spends $2.19 billion per yr treating tobacco-related well being points.

“These CityHealth medals present that leaders in Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs are constructing well being fairness by way of coverage,” stated Mike Ramseier, regional president of Kaiser Permanente in Colorado. “They share our dedication to enhancing public well being by lowering confirmed dangers to the well being of the group.”

Particular person gold medals Denver received in 2024 embody:

• Reasonably priced Housing Trusts
• Earned Sick Depart
• Greenspace
• Safer Alcohol Gross sales
• Smoke-Free Indoor Air

Denver additionally earned a silver medal for Authorized Assist of Renters and bronze medals for Eco-Pleasant Buying, Wholesome Meals Buying, and Excessive-High quality, Accessible Pre-Okay packages.

Aurora received medals for:

• Reasonably priced Housing Trusts (gold)
• Earned Sick Depart (gold)
• Safer Alcohol Gross sales (gold)
• Smoke-Free Indoor Air (gold)
• Greenspace (silver)
• Excessive-High quality, Accessible Pre-Okay (bronze)

Colorado Springs earned medals for:

• Reasonably priced Housing Trusts (gold)
• Earned Sick Depart (gold)
• Safer Alcohol Gross sales (gold)
• Smoke-Free Indoor Air (gold)
• Excessive-High quality, Accessible Pre-Okay (bronze)

Study extra concerning the public well being risk of vaping.