Gold Standard External Resources for Hospitals

People with mental and substance use disorders:

• Are approximately twice as likely as the general population to smoke cigarettes
• Are more likely to die from smoking-related illness than from their mental and substance use disorders (i.e. behavioral health conditions) and
• Want to quit smoking and are able to do so successfully, which both reduces their risk of developing smoking-related diseases and may also improve their behavioral health outcomes.

In light of the growing burden of preventable chronic diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, hospital leadership and champions can promote the health of employees, patients, and communities by considering policies and practices that ensure that the healthier choice is the easier choice. This tool kit provides guidance to hospital nutritionists, human resources and employee health staff, and others who wish to promote and support healthy food, beverage, and physical activity options in hospitals.