First Lady Glenna Fletcher described Kentucky’s efforts to battle the state’s number-one killer, heart disease, at the new Baptist Heart Center during a recent luncheon.

Fletcher introduced Get Healthy Kentucky, a wellness and physical activity initiative, in spring 2006 because of health problems plaguing Kentuckians:
· Kentucky has the highest smoking rate in the country.
· More than 60 percent of Kentuckians are overweight, with Kentucky ranking fifth in the nation in obesity and high in sedentary lifestyles.
· Because of those and other risk factors, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Kentucky.

“My husband as a physician and I as a nurse have seen firsthand the health problems affecting our state’s residents,” said Fletcher. “We are motivated to take action.”

Chris Corbin, Acting Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Wellness and Physical Activity, shared more troubling statistics regarding Kentucky’s obesity and smoking rates.

“Kentucky spends more than $1 billion on obesity-related illnesses, and more than $1.3 billion on smoking-related illnesses,” said Corbin. “Over time, these numbers have risen sharply.”

In addition to cardiac concerns, Fletcher discussed other diseases, including breast cancer, affecting Kentuckians. She recently established the First Lady Birthday Card program, mailing more than 200,000 cards to Kentucky women as a reminder to get their annual mammograms. She proclaimed Oct. 10 Wear Pink to Work Day in Kentucky, in support of breast cancer awareness.

Cardiologist Patrick Withrow, medical director of the Baptist Heart Center, also addressed the crowd, answering heart-related questions from attendees. He said educating Kentuckians on how to get healthy is important for both adults and children.

“Physical inactivity and obesity are on the rise,” said Dr. Withrow. “Future
generations will suffer even greater health consequences if we don’t intervene now.
Children and adults need to realize the importance of proper nutrition, exercise and disease management.”
Community members and some WBH staff involved in heart-healthy initiatives attended, including Neurology director, Mary Legge, R.N. She and Dr. Withrow, along with Dr. Niranjan Siva and Philip Adams, R.N. in the Emergency department, have joined with the health department to establish a West Kentucky Cardiovascular Task Force, one of four in Kentucky.

“The task force meets quarterly to address cardiac issues facing the state,” said Legge. “We’ll prioritize these issues regionally and then present them to the state. Once compiled, statewide results then will be shared with the Centers for Disease Control for national research studies.”

Fletcher and Corbin presented Western Baptist Hospital officials with a certificate recognizing efforts to improve personal health.