Lawrence county is working to become a healthier Tennessee county

The Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness today announced Lawrence County has been named a candidate for official designation as a Healthier Tennessee Community.

Healthier Tennessee Communities are those that encourage and enable more physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco abstinence at the local level. The program takes a community-wide approach to improving Tennesseans’ health by engaging the local leaders of cities, towns, counties and neighborhoods.

“Research has shown that we are much more likely to change our health-related behavior and establish healthy habits when we are encouraged and supported by others – when we are in community,” Governor’s Foundation CEO Richard Johnson said. “That’s why making health and wellness an integral part of life where you live – and with the people who surround you – makes such a positive difference.”

In Tennessee, one in five adults smokes, and one in five high school students uses tobacco. Approximately 34 percent of the population is classified as obese and an additional 34 percent are overweight, and type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure are at epidemic levels.

“Being able to participate in the Healthier Tennessee Community initiative is a fantastic opportunity to impact the health status of Lawrence County,” states Jeff Noblin, CEO of Southern Tennessee Regional Health System - Lawrenceburg. “In addition, doing this with great partners such as our local Health Department and city and county leadership makes this meaningful because we all share a vision of making Lawrence County a healthier place to live.”

To be designated an official Healthier Tennessee Community, Lawrence County must identify wellness champions to lead the initiative that engages people in workplaces, schools and faith organizations, and then work to initiate and sustain community-wide events and activities that support physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco abstinence.

The community is expected to track and measure outputs and accomplishments of the program. They have one year to complete their work.

The foundation launched the Healthier Tennessee Communities initiative in March 2015 with nine pilot communities. Fifteen communities have already received the official designation and 60 additional cities and counties are currently vying for the designation.

Cities and counties interested in becoming Healthier Tennessee Communities should contact the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness at tennessee@healthierstate.org or (615) 610-1880.

More information on the program and other Healthier Tennessee initiatives is available at www.healthiertn.com.