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Pennsylvania Secretaries of Health and Aging Kick Off Public Health Week 2005

Posted on: Monday, 4 April 2005, 12:00 CDT

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Aging William Johnston-Walsh were joined by older adults, youth and state employees today as they kicked off Public Health Week 2005 in Pennsylvania with a walk/run around the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.

"This week, we are promoting the healthy choices that all Pennsylvanians can make to improve their ability to stay healthy and live longer lives," Dr. Johnson said. "Public Health Week also provides us with the opportunity to recognize some of the strong community partnerships around the Commonwealth that work to encourage healthy living at any age."

This year's theme, "Empowering Americans to Live Stronger, Longer!" focuses on encouraging Pennsylvanians over age 65 to follow the three Ps of healthy living - prevention, protection and planning. Some of the health choices older adults can make to prevent many common health problems include: getting a health risk screening; making healthy lifestyle changes like nutrition and exercise; and working with their doctors and family to maintain good health.

"As we age, it becomes increasingly important for us to remain active and get as much exercise as our doctor recommends," said Aging Deputy Secretary Johnston-Walsh. "Studies show that exercising regularly can help prevent or delay many diseases and disabilities, allowing older adults to live strong and independent lives."

Department of Health Statistics show:

-- Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are second only to

smoking as the leading preventable causes of death in the U.S.

-- Approximately 64 percent of Pennsylvanians over age 65 are

overweight.

-- Approximately 32 percent of Pennsylvanians over age 65 reported not

having engaged in leisure time physical activity in the past month.

-- Only 13 percent of Pennsylvania women over age 65 eat dairy products

three or more times a day.

-- Approximately 51 percent of Pennsylvanians over age 65 have been

diagnosed with high blood cholesterol.

-- Approximately 54 percent of Pennsylvanians over age 65 have been

diagnosed with high blood pressure.

For the duration of Public Health Week, Dr. Johnson will travel across the state to recognize local partnerships that are practicing innovative ways to improve the health of their communities.

The Department of Health offers services in collaboration with a variety of local health agencies and providers that help Pennsylvanians prevent health issues such as diabetes, osteoporosis and arthritis.

The Department of Aging coordinates a broad range of programs to help older Pennsylvanians remain active and healthy. The PrimeTime Health Program focuses on health promotion and disease prevention activities for older Pennsylvanians in eight priority areas: teaching home safety; incontinence management; coping with alcoholism; dealing with depression; managing diabetes; fire prevention; medication management, and; brown bag medication reviews with pharmacists.

In addition, the Department of Aging has developed "Healthy Steps for Older Adults," a falls prevention initiative. Targeted to Medicaid participants, Healthy Steps is being demonstrated as a pilot project by three Area Agencies on Aging. This initiative addresses a broad range of factors that contribute to falls, which are a leading cause of injury mortality in the United States.

For more information on all Public Health Week 2005 activities, visit the Department of Health's Web site at http://www.health.state.pa.us/.

CONTACT: Troy Thompson, Health, +1-717-787-1783 or Gary Miller, Aging, +1-717-783-1549.

Pennsylvania Department of Health

CONTACT: Troy Thompson, Health, +1-717-787-1783 or Gary Miller, Aging,+1-717-783-1549

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/http://www.health.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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