Let’s make Iowa the healthiest state in the Union

By Mason City Globe Gazette

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“Welcome to Iowa, healthiest state in the Union.”

If Gov. Terry Branstad has his way, he'll be able to make that introduction by 2016.

Iowa's already above average - 19th in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. But Branstad says Iowans can do better - can be No. 1, in fact, and he has thrown down the gauntlet in forming a coalition to make the state healthier.

It's a most worthy plan but also a big challenge. Many Iowans are overweight; many suffer from chronic illnesses like diabetes; sedentary lifestyles cause many of our problems. Plus Iowa's population is aging, and there's no ducking some of the health consequences of getting old.

But the governor and his new director of the Department of Public Health, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, believe the goal is attainable.

To do so, he has organized the Healthiest State Initiative, a community- and business-led, government-endorsed statewide effort to encourage all Iowans to improve their health and well-being.

“This Healthiest State Initiative will assist Iowans in learning about and applying proven methods to live longer, happier and healthier lives,” Branstad said. “We control more than 70 percent of the factors that influence our health. It is within our power to make a positive difference in our lives.”

Here's an intriguing aspect of the initiative: Branstad said addressing lifestyle changes could allow Iowa to redirect as much as $16 billion in health-care expenses and lost productivity over the next five years to grow the economy. In fact, he called the initiative critical to Iowa's economic viability.

We believe this initiative has plenty of potential because of its volunteer nature and grassroots leanings. From the highest office in government to small-group meetings across the state, Iowans will be given the initiative to change their lifestyles and become more healthy.

In doing so, they could reduce health-care costs in their homes and offices statewide, and as Branstad says, that money could go to economic development.

Again, this initiative sounds very promising and we're 100 percent behind it. And while some Iowans will be reluctant to embrace the governor's challenge, they should keep the prize in mind: A healthier state and one that's better off economically - which, by the way, should be very attractive to businesses and families looking for new places to call home.

We expect to hear much more on this initiative soon. The first step will be a Start Somewhere Walk on Oct. 7. At noon that day, Iowans will be encouraged to walk seven to eight blocks (.62 mile) to demonstrate support for the healthiest state goal.

From there, who knows where Iowans' ingenuity and hard work will take us. We'd like to think a long way down the path to healthier lives.

So we encourage Iowans to get behind this initiative wherever and however they can so we can say, “We are from Iowa, and we are the healthiest state in the nation.”