Press Release
| For More Information Contact: | For Release: |
| Julie Armstrong, Health Educator | Date: 7-6-01 |
| Phone: (937) 642-2053 | |
| Fax: (937) 642-2080 |
Union County Kicks Off Take Heart! Campaign
On Wednesday, July 18th, Ohio Department of Health Director Nick Baird, M.D., will be visiting Union County. His visit is prompted by the start of Ohio’s campaign “Healthy Ohioan’s, Healthy Communities,” which is aimed at changing Ohio’s bleak statistics on Cardiovascular health. Ohio ranks 45 out of 50 states for number of obese residents, 46th for inactive residents, 47th for number of residents who smoke and Ohio is dead last for intake of fruits and vegetables. The Executive Director of the campaign Mr. Dick Schafrath will accompany Dr. Baird on his visit.
Cardiovascular disease is also the leading killer among Union County residents and preventing it has remained a priority of the Union County Health Department. The Health Department recently received a grant through the Ohio Department of Health to conduct some targeted programming around cardiovascular disease, which will be aimed at Richwood, Byhalia, and Magnetic Springs. Health Commissioner Anne Davy invited Dr. Baird and Mr. Schafrath to visit Union County to assist in kicking off this local campaign to make heart health a priority for employers, community leaders and residents alike.
Dr. Baird and Mr. Schafrath will arrive in Marysville to first meet with the Board of Health and tour the local public health facilities. Dr. Baird and Mr. Schafrath will address the Union County community at the Vets Memorial Auditorium at 233 West Sixth Street at 10 AM and then lead the group for a walk around Eljer Park at 11AM. Those in attendance will be invited to sign a pledge to bring back some specific ideas to create a more heart healthy worksite or to make some personal changes toward developing more heart healthy habits. Resources will be displayed at the Vets Auditorium and shared with the group that day. Those in attendance will receive a Take Heart T-Shirt and other gifts that day and there is no cost to attend.
Nestle, Honda of America, MFG, and Memorial Hospital of Union County have shown their commitment to preventing cardiovascular disease by helping to support the event.
For more information, please call. The Union County Health Department at (937) 642-0801 or (888) 333-9461 for non-local calls.