Area hospitals get grants to aid healthy schools

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Lamendola

Three hospital systems received $127,000 each from the state to create healthier environments in schools in Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady and Schoharie counties.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard F. Daines announced the grants, among 19 totaling $2.5 million.

Glens Falls Hospital, Seton Health System Inc. and Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital received state grants.

Glens Falls’ grant will serve Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Fulton and Montgomery counties; Seton Health’s grant will service Columbia, Greene, Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties; and Bassett’s will serve Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties.

Danes said the hospital systems will help schools develop policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use and increase healthful eating and physical activity opportunities in schools.

“It is essential that children develop healthy habits while they are young,” Daines said. “Schools can supplement the healthy living behaviors students learn at home.”

The state Department of Health said in 2008 that 38 percent of middle and high school students reported seeing at least one adult smoking on school property in the past 30 days. Further, the state said, 64 percent of high school students and 28 percent of middle school students reported seeing at least one student smoking on school property in the past 30 days.

A 2008 audit by the Office of the State Comptroller found only one of 20 school districts complied with physical education regulations at all grade levels, according to Daines’ office.