FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 2, 2004) Governor Ernie Fletcher, joined by First Lady Glenna Fletcher, signed a proclamation kicking off Kentucky Public Health Awareness Week today at the Capitol.

The Department for Public Health joins the Kentucky Public Health Association (KPHA) in observing Public Health Awareness Week, April 5-11, with the theme of “Keeping Public Health Active: Promoting Healthier Lifestyles.”

"As a physician, I understand the importance of health awareness and education for every citizen of this great Commonwealth," said Governor Ernie Fletcher. "As Governor, I am committed to ensuring that the health and well-being of every Kentuckian will continue to remain a priority of this administration."

The First Lady applauded the proclamation as a way to encourage all Kentuckians to put their health first. “One of my first priorities as First Lady was to meet with legislators to draft legislation which will help Kentuckians live healthier lives. Although, Senate Bill 179 is currently stalled in the House, it will not stop my commitment to health issues in Kentucky. I urge the members of the House to pass this bill to give us the opportunity to encourage all Kentuckians to lead healthier lifestyles. I certainly hope that the House leadership would not play partisan politics with the health of Kentuckians.  ” 

            Many local health departments will be holding activities aimed at helping Kentuckians to live healthier lifestyles during this week and the month of April. Health departments planning activities include:

·        The Lake Cumberland Health Department will focus on promoting child wellness and, working with Medicaid, will be contacting families of children eligible for the Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment program to encourage them to see their family physician and take advantage of this service. For more information contact Shawn Crabtree at (606)679-4416.

·        The Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department will be announcing several activities related to Public Health Awareness Week on April 1 aimed at encouraging teenagers and young adults to make healthy lifestyle decisions. For more information contact Peggy Kiser at (859)341-4264, Ext. 2035, or Emily Gresham, Ext. 2004.

·        The Lexington-Fayette County Health Dept. will kick off a month of health-related activities on April 6th at a health fair for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government employees, which will culminate in the recognition of Public Health Heroes in the community. For more information contact Diana Koonce at (859)288-2317.  

“We are grateful to the Governor and First Lady for their interest in these issues because Kentucky’s major health problems are all related to lifestyle choices and we want to take this opportunity to focus attention on the choices we can all make in our daily lives to improve our health,” said Dr. Rice Leach, Commissioner of Public Health. “We want to draw attention to such issues as reducing tobacco use, reducing obesity, preventing high blood pressure and HIV/AIDS prevention.”

The KPHA’s annual conference scheduled for May 3-6 at the Executive West Inn in Louisville will further examine Kentucky’s theme of promoting healthy lifestyle choices. More information about the conference can be found at KPHA’s website at: http://www.kpha-ky.org/

For more information on events in your area contact your local health department or visit the American Public Health Association’s state-by-state calendar of events at http://www.apha.org/NPHW/state/

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