heart rhythm

Building Communities for Better Health (BCBH)

Topic Menu
Contact Information
Comprehensive Tobacco Control

920 Wildwood
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Email
motobaccoprogram@health.mo.gov
Phone
573-522-2820

Sign up for electronic
newsletters

Get the latest news, topics and information geared to enhance tobacco cessation efforts in a healthcare setting.

Check it out and sign up here!

BCBH communities work in Missouri counties with the highest burden of chronic disease to reduce the leading preventable causes of chronic disease. BCBH coalitions implement policy, system and environmental change strategies that increase physical activity and reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure in their communities. Policy, system and environmental changes make the healthy choice the easy choice and ensure healthier communities for years to come.

BCBH coalitions implement policy, system and environmental change strategies that increase physical activity and reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure in their communities. Policy, system and environmental changes make the healthy choice the easy choice and ensure healthier communities for years to come.

Wins and Successes

two women standing next to each other holding a policy document
two women standing together holding a policy document
  • The Randolph County Health Department recently assisted two local businesses in adopting comprehensive tobacco-free policies: Dot’s Bakery and Vintage 424.
  • The city of Noel is celebrating the implementation of 100% smoke-free parks. Rosa’s Mexican Supermarket and Shadow Lake have also implemented smoke-free worksite policies. Read more here.
  • The city of Tarkio, MO passed a smoke-free community ordinance January 2024. Click here to read more.
  • Salem, MO passed a smoke free ordinance that includes city owned buildings, vehicles and properties, including parks. Read more here.
  • On April 29th, 2024, MRT hosted an active transportation training for the current BCBH cohort. Read more here.
  • Next to Rise continues to train students from school to school. Students are learning how beneficial clean air for all Missourians would be and what they can do to help. See the excitement build on the Next to Rise blog.

Check out these big wins!

Click below to read success stories from Cohort 1 BCBH communities, 

and the work achieved to improve the health and wellness of community residents. The work that has been done to improve the health and wellness of residents living in these areas is amazing.

What's New? 

Next to Rise is a youth-led program that gives high school students a platform to work together to create positive change in Missouri. Next to Rise partners with Missouri schools, clubs and community organizations, including Building Communities for Better Health coalitions. Together, we hope to increase the number of indoor public spaces that are 100% smoke and vape-free in Missouri. Interested in partnering with us and serving Missouri communities?

Reach out via email!

Cohort 2 Participants

group of people standing for picture at training
BCBH Kickoff Training
group of people in conference room
Leadership Training with Tim Crowley
people standing with yellow safety vests
Active Transportation Training Moberly

Smokefree Communities

Smoke-free policies are the only way to guarantee protection from secondhand smoke. Smoke-free environments protect people from secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol, protect people from thirdhand smoke, prevent youth from starting tobacco use, help people quit and stay quit.1

Smoke-free policies protect everyone.

Currently, only one in three Missourians are protected by smoke-free laws. BCBH communities are helping local businesses and organizations increase and enhance comprehensive smoke/vape-free policies that protect all people in all places.

Active Transportation

The built environment can increase access to safe and accessible physical activity opportunities through Complete Streets design for active transportation. BCBH communities are working to create, implement and promote active transportation plans that support safe, accessible routes to everyday destinations such as homes, schools, parks, public spaces and transit stops.

A supportive built environment can enhance quality of life, minimize environmental contamination exposure, support protective factors and improve chronic disease outcomes. Learn more about Complete Streets. 

 

References