A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE STATEWIDE HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM.
Whereas, chronic diseases are one of the most important public health issues of our time; and
Whereas, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer are the leading causes of death and escalating health care costs in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the rates of obesity and tobacco use have reached epidemic proportions and are of particular concern with respect to smoking among our youth population; and
Whereas, adequate capacity in all communities across the State is essential to address these urgent health problems; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, the sum of four million three hundred thousand dollars ($4,300,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of four million three hundred thousand dollars ($4,300,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used for the Statewide Health Promotion program to support the work of one full-time public health professional in each county to work on the public health issues of physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.