Slim Chance Fighting Obesity Won’t Be Health Council’s Top Priority

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County health councils throughout Tennessee are restructuring in order to be more proactive in working for their individual communities.

The state has requested each council come up with a priority list of health topics they deem as important issues and begin determining objectives and action plans that need to be taken to help deal with the issues.

Michael Railing, County Director for the Cannon County Health Department, brought up the issue of obesity. Obesity is tied into other health issues and every agency represented by the health council can relate to the problem, he said. The council felt that obesity should be one of the priorities on the list and voted unanimously to approve the suggestion.

The council also elected Carla Bush to serve as chairperson to help come up with action plans in the fight against obesity.

John Rust, Committee member of the Tennessee Commission of Children and Youth, suggested substance abuse. Rust visited over 10 different prison systems in the state and asked what the majority of inmates were in for. The response was simple improper prescription usage and fraud. The council felt this was another important priority, but wanted to word it as substance abuse to cover the major problem of the County. The council elected John Rust to serve as chairperson.

Cliff Swoape said that Community Identifying and Promotion of Local Health Services in Cannon County should be a priority. The rest of the council agreed and voted to put that matter on the list as well. Both Swoape and Connie Rigsby will co-chair getting the information together and out to the public.

Railing mentioned in his public health update to make sure to remind people to get their pets vaccinated. It is a state law now and there has been a report of a case of rabies in the county.

Carla Bush, of the UT Extension Office, gave a report of some upcoming events including the Arthritis Self Help Course which starts Tuesday, May 22. The six-week program is designed to help those with arthritis learn and practice the skills needed to build a self management program.

Linsey Arfsten reported to the Council that the Teen Health Council will be visiting the 7th and 8th graders in a couple of weeks of each of the school to do a presentation of tobacco prevention. The activity will start May 15.

A couple of dates to put on the calendar include May 13-19th which is Women's Health Week and May 31st in which it signifies World No Tobacco Day.

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CANNON COMMUNITY
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Members Opinions:
May 05, 2012 at 9:29am
People are often offended by the truth.
May 05, 2012 at 5:18pm
NOTE: Following the initial comment, the first word in the headline was changed from "Fat" to "Slim."
May 07, 2012 at 11:26am
Obesity is an epidemic! In Tennessee, two out of every three adults are overweight or obese, and about four of every 10 schoolchildren are at risk of becoming overweight. The problem costs everyone through the demands it places on healthcare.
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