States In Brief

Kentucky challenge aims at healthy eating

Kids throughout northeastern Kentucky are being challenged to eat healthier, thanks to a campaign from a local health department.

In March, the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department launched Produce Man’s Healthy Challenge in conjunction with National Nutrition Month. Thirty-five schools are participating in the challenge, which uses a character covered in produce as its mascot.

During the week-long challenge, students and teachers will track their progress in reaching the goals of eating more fruits and vegetables, giving up sugary beverages and getting 30 minutes of exercise a day. Students, staff and classes win prizes and compete for a grand prize.

For more information, visit www.nkyhealth.org.

Arkansas lays out state’s health issues

Short life expectancy, high infant mortality and low health literacy are the three top public health issues facing residents of Arkansas, according to the new report, “Arkansas’ Big Health Problems and How We Plan to Solve Them.”

Released in March, the report includes state-specific information on a number of health topics, such as the cost of poor health, health equity and rural health. In 2008, the average life expectancy in Arkansas was 76 years old — two years shorter than the national average. In fact, the report found that all but three of Arkansas’ counties were home to life expectancies lower than the national average. In 2009, the state’s infant mortality rate was 7.3 deaths per 1,000 births, compared to a national average of 6.4 deaths per live births. The report also stated that 37 percent of adults in Arkansas have low health literacy.

“We know there are multiple factors that affect the health of individuals and the population,” said Nate Smith, MD, MPH, state health officer and director of the Arkansas Department of Health, which released the report. “In order for Arkansas to become a healthier state, we must all work together to address these factors. We hope this report empowers individuals, leaders and organizations to take steps to make their communities healthier.”

In addition to examining the health problems facing Arkansans, the report also set out a number of solutions to the problems. Among the goals are promoting tobacco cessation, improving access to chronic disease screening in rural communities, reducing motor vehicle crashes, increasing flu vaccination, preventing unintended pregnancy and including health literacy in the curricula for all children in the state.

“While we may lack all the answers, we know enough to take action and to make progress in fighting our biggest health problems,” Smith said.

To read the report, visit www.arkansas.gov/health.

North Dakota debuts electronic network

With the official rollout of the North Dakota Health Information Network in March, health providers are sharing information that will help improve care.

“By strengthening the quality and accessibility of health care in our state, we enhance the livability of our communities and the quality of life of our people,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “Sharing electronic health records is an important part of those efforts, enhancing patient care while reducing health care costs.”

A majority of North Dakota physicians, hospitals, public health units and long-term facilities have health records systems that are able to connect with the network. In fact, North Dakota is leading the nation in the field, with 83 percent of physicians using electronic health record systems that can connect to a statewide network. The national average is only 48 percent.

For more information, visit www.ndhin.org.