Personal health, community effort
As I listened the White House physician speak of President Trump’s health the other day, one thing I heard was louder than other matters: given his weight, President Trump is edging toward obesity. Anytime I hear about obesity (excessive overweight), or see it, I have significant concern.
Wherever I am in Sandpoint, it seems like I run into persons who are struggling with being excessively overweight. Obesity is also a serious national health concern.
That is one reason why I am so appreciative when I also see people working hard to take care of their bodies. Nutrition and physical exercise are two of the most obvious ways to address obesity. Emotional well-being is also a vital component to finding a personal, healthy body-balance.
So when there is an opportunity to learn more about having that healthy body-balance, I encourage persons to seize that opportunity! Such a moment will happen for persons who attend the Geezer Forum next Tuesday, January 23.
Nanci Jenkins is a dietitian at Panhandle Health District. She is also the coordinator for a group formed in 2016 whose purpose is (my words) “healthy persons, healthy community”. The Bonner County Coalition for Health is developing a variety of ways to encourage personal health in all people who live here.
The Coalition began after a needs assessment showed that 38% of our county residents were low-income, and 34% of residents were either obese or overweight. Those are startling figures to consider! So the large group of volunteers (BCCH) decided to find tangible ways to make some differences toward improving personal health in our communities.
I certainly applaud their determination. And the programs they have begun are showing some impact, even if the results aren’t always easy to see. After all, they’ve been at this change-effort less than two years! All change takes time. They’re taking some first steps. Good on them!
At this point, the coalition is focused on five basic efforts:
1) Change for Change (at the grocery store);
2) Harvesting Our Health (community gardens);
3) Healthy Lifestyle Rx (non-pharmaceutical prescriptions);
4) “Get Moving Bonner County” (walk with a doc); and
5) Communications (www.bcch.us)
I’ve seen “Change for Change” at one of our grocery stores, and I know about the community gardens many people use. But I’m eager to hear more about the other three program efforts the Coalition is working on. I suspect they are also looking seriously for other ways to encourage nutrition and physical activities.
Please join us at next Tuesday’s Geezer Forum and learn much more about what the Bonner County Coalition for Health is working on to encourage personal health. Their effort depends on community awareness and support.
The same is true for any person’s effort to get health and stay healthy. The idea that “It Takes a Village...” is important in all that we try to do as individual persons. That may seem ironic to some. To me it’s just common (as in community) sense.
We gather in the Community Room of Columbia Bank next Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2:30-4:00 p.m. For your health, for the community’s health.
Paul R. Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.