Healthiest Weight Florida launches profession-specific video messages
In conjunction with The Department of Health’s campaign to reduce chronic disease costs by lowering the weight curve 5 percent by 2030, the 22 professional health care practitioner boards organized under the Division of Medical Quality Assurance are working with providers to spread the message of healthy living. A representative from each board recorded a profession-specific message, and those videos have been released.
Linda Horton, Ph.D., EdD, MSN, RN, JD
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESsv5X9Iny0″ width=”400″ height=”300″] [/su_youtube]
Jessie M. Colin, Ph.D., RN, FRE, FAAN ( Kreyol)
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN87ln7t1gI” width=”420″ height=”300″] [/su_youtube]
The State Surgeon General identified weight as the No. 1 public health threat challenging Florida’s future and launched the Healthiest Weight Florida initiative in January 2013. While the initiative is a public-private collaboration involving other state agencies, nonprofit groups, businesses and communities at large, the Board/Council of (your profession here) plays an important role as a conduit to licensed professionals and the profession’s associations.
Some unhappy facts:
Currently only 36 percent of Floridians are at healthy weight.
Over the next 20 years, obesity likely will contribute to
2.4 million new cases of Type 2 diabetes
6 million new cases of heart disease and stroke
5 million new case of hypertension
3 million new cases of arthritis
The additional costs of care for these chronic diseases are estimated to be $34 billion in that time.
Last year, 26 representatives of the various boards and councils met in Tallahassee spent the day together sharing and strategizing ways to involve health care practitioners in the Department’s vision: To Be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Some of the suggestions were complex, such as how to partner with large corporations and how to reach into socio-economically deprived areas. Some were simple suggestions on how to speak with clients and patients about exercise and healthy eating. Healthy Weight Florida staff is reviewing materials to provide to DOH-licensed practitioners that will assist those conversations.