Published: September 02, 2008 08:39 pm         

Obesity

Concerted effort needed to reach W.Va.’s health goals by 2010

Long-term results take time. The West Virginia Healthy People 2010 objectives may not reach the desired goals two years from now, but many of the state’s residents are in better shape because of the initiative.

West Virginia Healthy People 2010 is the specific set of objectives that defines the state’s health agenda and serves to guide health care services and policy. It is based on a national health promotion and disease prevention initiative focused on eliminating disparities in health, and improving years and quality of life.

In a state where roughly a third of all deaths stem from cardiovascular disease or stroke — both obesity-related conditions — it’s encouraging to see positive results.

A recent review of the plan shows a gradual progress in many areas that adds up to some good news, even if some of the plan’s goals still seem unlikely to be met in the next year and a half.

Fat, for example, is probably the most noticeable and expensive problem in the state. About 30 percent of West Virginians are obese and 37 percent are overweight, according to the latest figures from the state Bureau for Public Health.

When the 2010 goals were set, though, things were actually worse: the working group decided that an obesity rate of 37 percent was a realistic goal to achieve by 2010. Today, it’s just over 30 percent.

The heart association, which is kicking off a series of “heart walks” around the state this fall, has other reasons to be glad.

The working group also saw 37 percent as the magic number for physical activity. They wanted to get the number of residents who report no leisure time exercise down to that number by 2010; it now stands at 28.5 percent.

The West Virginia Healthy People 2010 objectives also called for increasing to 75 percent the number of residents who have had their blood cholesterol checked; it’s now almost 77 percent.

One of the most significant goals may be the lack of access to health care. The plan envisioned that by 2010, all but 10 percent of West Virginians — 180,000 people — would have health insurance. The U.S. Census bureau estimated in August that number stands at 254,000, an increase of 9,000 over the previous year. A plan under discussion by lawmakers calls for a redesign in the state’s health care system that could narrow that gap.

We can’t sit back and wait for someone else to solve the problem. We each need to make an individual effort to improve our own health. We all need to work in a concerted effort to come as close as we can to the 2010 goal.

Small numbers can make a big difference over the next 18 months.