Vol. 18, No. 26	April 8, 1999

Former dean named chair of state health coalition

Allan Waterfield, health and environmental sciences, has been elected to chair the IMPACT Delaware Tobacco Prevention Coalition for 1999.

The IMPACT (Initiatives to Mobilize for the Prevention and Control of Tobacco-use) coalition was formed in March 1995, and there currently are more than 40 member organizations representing health-care institutions, youth and community groups, states agencies and others interested in the problems related to tobacco use.

Its mission is to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans by reducing health risks related to tobacco use and exposure. IMPACT works with the Delaware Division of Public Health and has developed and published a state Tobacco Prevention Plan.

"My field is health and wellness, and one of my major ongoing concerns is tobacco use. It is a 'fixable' problem. The real issue is, not starting to smoke, and we are trying to discover why teenagers start to smoke and do some counter-marketing on the health issues surrounding smoking," Waterfield said.

Waterfield is active in promoting wellness and a healthy life style. A former board member of the American Lung Association of Delaware, he is currently a board member of the American Cancer Society, is a member of the Delaware Coalition to Promote Physical Activity and chairs the Governor's Council on Lifestyle and Fitness.

---