Story Published:
Jul 11, 2010 at 10:16 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 12, 2010 at 10:14 AM CST
Tennesseeans have poor health--as measured nationwide.
Addressing a Cookeville crowd on Friday evening (at Del Monaco Winery), Congressman Wamp stated, “We’re almost dead last in health - 48th or 49th depending on which measurement you use -- and there are now alarming statistics about young Tennesseeans. Wamp cited, "A recent study has found that 40% of the 17-24 year old Tennesseans cannot qualify physically to join the US military today. "
Between type II diabetes, hypertension, chronic obesity and high blood pressure among our young people, we have a serious issue.”
Wamp says that it’s a top priority for our state in order to move forward.
“We’ve got to change that,” said Wamp, “We need a paradigm shift into prevention and wellness. We’re not going to be able to afford (taking care of all the sick people).
The #1 cost issue in state government is health care.
When Lamar Alexander ran for governor the focus was on roads and schools. Folks, we’re not able to focus on those things to the extent we need to because health and poor health is dominating our state budget.”
Wamp stated that poor health is also a quality of life and productivity issue. “If we don’t change this soon we’re not going to have the most competitive and dynamic state in America.”
According to the state level research, Tennessee’s annual tab for obesity is running a hefty 1.8 billion dollars a year.
What would Wamp do about that as governor? “It’s as simple as cardiovascular exercise for children and PE, nutrition and diet. We have to focus on wellness with routine checkups instead of emergency room visits.
We have got to change the health culture and not overmedicate the next generation of Tennesseeans. We take too many prescription drugs. The research is in. The most effective antidepressant in the world is sweat-- and kids need to sweat more.
It’s not about size. God makes us all different sizes. It’s about understanding how to adjust your activity levels and maintain that dial for personal health throughout your life.”
Wamp says getting Tennessee moving again -- literally -- through regular exercise and a renewed focus on preventative health care will create happier, healthier and more productive citizens.
Wamp says he will also promote preventive care like mammograms, colonoscopy and other basic, but vital health maintenance procedures as proven pathways toward a healthier Tennessee.
