Healthy Arkansas

Public Goals – Private Investment

What is Healthy Arkansas

On May 4, 2004, Governor Mike Huckabee

Launched Healthy Arkansas

• A statewide initiative to reduce obesity, tobacco use, and physical inactivity in Arkansas within the next two years

• A focus on achieving the Healthy People 2010 goals for children and adults in these three areas

Why Healthy Arkansas

• 61% of adult Arkansans are overweight/obese• 27% adults engage in no leisure time physical activity• 26% adults are current smokers• 40% of children are overweight/at risk • 34% of Arkansas youth do not get enough exercise• 19% of Arkansas youth smoke

• Arkansas Medicaid costs almost $3 billion annually and is growing at a 9% rate per year

Who does Healthy Arkansas target

• Children in schools

• Adults in worksites

• Aging population

• “Captive” groups– Medicaid recipients– State employees

To accomplish the Healthy Arkansas goals, Governor

Huckabee asked that:

“Policy makers, health professionals, and business leaders partner to change the culture of health throughout the state.”

The Healthy Arkansas effort will include:

• Community Initiatives• Collaboration between public and private sectors• Working with policy makers to invest in prevention and

health promotion• Health promotion programs to encourage responsible

health choices and provide support for these choices• State policies that recognize the importance of

prevention

Public Goals – Private Investment

How are we promoting and ensuring private investment

in public goals?

Children in Schools

• Act 1220 of 2003 required BMI assessment of every child in all public schools in Arkansas

• Arkansas Center for Health Improvement developed the plan for conducting this assessment and successfully completed the process

• Arkansas’ Clinician’s Guide to Weight Problems in Children and Adolescents was developed by a group of physicians and other health professionals

• Act 1220 required establishment of local school nutrition and physical activity advisory committees. Membership includes: mayors, hospital CEO’s, Chamber of Commerce, etc.

Why Private Investment in Worksite Wellness

• Employees spend almost 45% of waking hours in the workplace

– Reinforce/maintain healthy lifestyle efforts • Business Benefits

– Employers with physical activity programs have•Reduced health care costs by 20-25%•Reduced short-term sick leave by 6-32%•Increased productivity by 2-52%

Source: CDC and Tompkins Co. NYWorksite Wellness Program

Adults in Worksites

• Governor Huckabee hosted luncheon for a group of CEO’s to promote worksite wellness programs and seek their support

• State Health Department and Blue Cross/Blue Shield employees participated in Arkansas Fitness Challenge, a 3 month program to engage employees in consistent cardiovascular-type exercise

• Health Department is working with Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to survey businesses regarding worksite wellness

• Healthy Arkansas uses success examples such as J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. to promote worksite wellness

Other Activities

• Dr. Fay Boozman, Director of Arkansas Department of Health, is traveling the state speaking to civic clubs, community and business leaders to gain support for Healthy Arkansas

• Healthy Arkansas is working with Lilly Pharmaceutical to use radio and television to help people with diabetes

• Healthy Arkansas is working with the Cancer Society and their partners on “Working Well” Program

Other Activities

• A major component of this initiative includes working with state employees’ insurance to create incentives for healthier behavior

• The Health Department supports 55 Hometown Health Coalitions to address health needs of communities. These coalitions have members who represent the private sector and invest in public goals.

• Healthy Arkansas is working with the Arkansas Hospitality Association to develop a “Healthy Arkansas Restaurant” designation

With Healthy Arkansas successescome lessons learned

• Be sure to include all “affected” entities• Expect the ‘unexpected”• Set realistic timeframes• Consider what support materials will be needed and

develop these in advance• Designate/define areas of responsibility• Take time to periodically evaluate “process”• Establish clear lines of communication• Communicate, communicate, communicate!

Dr. Fay Boozman, in discussing Healthy Arkansas, said “This effort will blend state resources and the best practices of the private sector”.

For more information on Healthy Arkansas:website: www.HealthyArkansas.com