From Your Health Journal…..”Recently, I have seen some interesting articles from the Stamford Advocate, an excellent publication from Oklahoma. I suggest that you visit their site (link provided below) to read some very interesting articles. Today’s review discusses state-by-state ranking of America’s health putting Oklahoma 43rd in the nation in the wellness of its citizens. Oklahoma is still in the bottom 10 in health rankings nationwide, pulled down by high rates of smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyles that result in thousands of premature deaths every year. Very upsetting to read all this. Hopefully, change is in the works for those communities, and help from government officials as well. Please visit the Stamford Advocate web site to learn more.”

From the article…..

A state-by-state ranking of America’s health puts Oklahoma 43rd in the nation in the wellness of its citizens, and Dr. Terry Cline says that’s good news for a state that was ranked 49th when he took over as state health commissioner in 2009.

The bad news, Cline says, is that Oklahoma is still in the bottom 10 in health rankings nationwide, pulled down by high rates of smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyles that result in thousands of premature deaths every year.

“You don’t need to be dying in your 50s and 60s. How do you change that norm?” Cline said. “If you’re in the bottom five, even in the bottom 10, that to me is alarming. My goal is to get us out of the bottom 10.”

Cline, a clinical psychologist who serves as Gov. Mary Fallin’s secretary of health and human services, is spearheading the Oklahoma Health Improvement Plan, a blueprint for improving health that encourages Oklahomans to eat better, move more and become tobacco free.

“The good news is those are all things we can influence,” Cline said. “They drive health outcomes.”

The 2012 health rankings were released last month by the United Health Foundation, a non-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. Oklahoma’s ranking of 43rd is the second highest in the seven-state region behind Arkansas, ranked 48th, but ahead of all the other bordering states including Texas, ranked 40th, and Colorado, which was ranked 11th — the highest health ranking in the region.

Cline, 54, said improving the state’s health ranking relative to other states is not a competition to see which state will claim the top ranking, which in 2012 went to Vermont.

“But it is a race because our lives depend on it,” said Cline, an Ardmore native who has been involved in public health issues for more than 20 years. “The implications are really serious. It has very serious, dire consequences.”

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