Team Profile Summary

The Prince George’s County Team is aggressively engaging a broad sector of expertise, ranging from public health professionals to legislators, in order to develop sustainable, high-level strategies that address childhood obesity and youth mental and behavioral health – two of Prince George’s County’s most significant health concerns.

The team was assembled in mid-2007. It has since been focused on educating county leaders on social determinants, leveraging partnerships and existing policy opportunities at the county and state level, and pursuing data and funding to support the development and implementation of a long-term strategic action plan.

Team Profile Details

Problem Statement

• 33.7% of all African American children between ages 2 to 19 in Prince George’s County are overweight compared with 19.6% of their white counterparts. And, prior to 1990, Type 2 diabetes represented < 4% of all new cases of childhood diabetes in the county. But during the 1990's, Type 2 diabetes increased to between 8% and 45% of all new cases of childhood diabetes. (source: Prince George’s County Health Department, 2002 Child and Adolescent Health Assessment – Sept. 2002)
• Mental Health/Violence data – to come.

Team Objectives

• Obesity: Decrease countywide childhood obesity by increasing access to opportunities for physical activity and healthy food consumption in school and neighborhood settings, and by influencing policies that promote a built environment that is conducive to healthy living.
• Mental/behavioral health: Decrease countywide violence among young people by identifying early factors associated with risky behaviors and addressing these factors through policy change and interventions to promote academic improvements, economic stability, mental health support, etc.

For more information and to become involved, please contact:
Team Lead: Dr. Shirley Brown-Ornish
Email: sebrown-ornish@co.pg.md.us
Phone: (301)883-7893