We-the-Fat

Ronni Mott

Dr. Warren Jones (left), Estelle Watts (front) and Dr. Samuel Okoye (left) announced plans for Mississippi Health Awareness Day, Jan. 15.

by Ronni Mott
December 3, 2008

On Tuesday, speakers from the Coalition for a Healthier Mississippi unveiled their plans for the third annual Mississippi Health Awareness Day, scheduled for Jan. 15, 2009.

Community Outreach for Health Awareness CEO Dr. Samuel C. Okoye spoke about the many health challenges facing Mississippi.

“Mississippi is the fattest state in the nation for the third straight year,” Okoye said, adding that the state ranks No. 1 in the nation for high blood pressure and diabetes, and is also No. 1 in adult inactivity.

Dr. Warren Jones executive director of the Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority Health and Health Disparities at the University Medical Center said that making an impact on the state’s health problems is not easy.

“It takes a lot of vision, ingenuity and energy to take a well-known problem like the health state of Mississippi and to come up with a way to make a meaningful difference in that,” Jones said.

Estelle Watts, a consultant with the State Department of Education’s Office of Coordinated School Health, highlighted the need for adults to demonstrate good health choices for young people.

“We need to be role models for (children) and help them understand why those choices we make are so important.”

On Jan. 15, COHA will have sites all across the state offering education and health screenings. All sites will offer cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index screenings, with selected areas also offering glaucoma, dental and other health tests. Locally, the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center will offer screenings and information.

“We are tired of being the worst. We are ready in health and health awareness to be the first,” Jones said.

For additional information, contact Robyn Breland at the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation. 601-982-8467, ext. 41.

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