Issues - Healthy Mississippi
*Visit the home page of our site and click "Heart of the Matter" in the bottom left corner of your screen to view Governor Barbour's new ad, highlighting healthcare relief through tort reform. Read the rest of the story about the featured Mississippi physician, Dr. Kevin Galloway, here.
A HEALTHY MISSISSIPPI
“We were born in a culture where we were raised to eat wrong.” – Governor Haley Barbour
Mississippi's cardiovascular disease mortality rate is the highest in the nation, and is the leading cause of death in our state. Cancer is Mississippi’s #2 killer ranking fourth in cancer mortality in the U.S. in 2004. Diabetes contributes to the deaths of 1,600 Mississippians each year. Mississippi also ranks number one – the highest in the nation – in obesity, while 81% of adult Mississippians say they are not physically active on a regular basis.
ISN’T IT TIME TO GET HEALTHY MISSISSIPPI?
Last year, Governor Barbour kicked off his “Healthy Mississippi” initiative to promote disease management and improve health care at a lower cost. Now, more than ever, it is time to focus on living healthier lifestyles and raising awareness of chronic disease prevention.
Wellness Where We Learn:
· Governor Barbour proposed and the Legislature passed the “Mississippi Healthy Students Act” this year, which requires 150 minutes of physical activity-based instruction per week and 45 minutes of health education instruction for K-8 th grade students. Costs for a physical activities coordinator were also appropriated. After all, healthy kids have fewer discipline problems and will be more interested in learning.
Wellness Where We Live:
· The Barbour Administration has partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield to promote the Let’s Go Walkin’ Campaign to get Mississippians active and raise awareness of the benefits of exercise.
· Nearly 23,000 packets and pedometers have been sent to individuals, churches, schools and businesses in 79 counties to serve as a tool to encourage healthy choices.
· The campaign will provide materials and resources to a network of churches statewide who are dedicated to advocating healthy lifestyles among their congregations.
Wellness Where We Work:
· Offering wellness programs throughout state agencies is the first step in improving the overall health of state employees. To achieve this goal, the Barbour Administration has developed “Healthy Mississippi."
– A "Worksite Wellness Program” for State Employees, a comprehensive program that will be customized to meet an agency’s specific needs and challenges.
· To improve the health care for nearly 200,000 Mississippians, the state employee insurance plan is now providing 100% pre-deductible coverage, up to $250 for an annual wellness exam, and an additional $50 for the completion of a health risk assessment.
Finally, the Barbour Administration is protecting the solvency of Mississippi’s Medicaid program, while serving those who truly need it. Medicaid offers free annual physical exams to recipients, checking for diabetes and high blood pressure and making sure their medications are accurate.
*Statistics from the Mississippi Department of Health Web site.