FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 21, 2008
Contact: Jessica Robinson,
573-751-0290
Gov. Blunt Announces New Internet Site Offering Advice for a Longer, Healthier Life
JEFFERSON CITY - Finding accurate advice on how to live a healthier life just got a little easier. Gov. Matt Blunt announced the launch of a new Internet site offering a wealth of information about healthy living,
www.lifedependsonit.com.
“The Internet offers a great deal of information about your health, but it can be difficult to determine what is accurate and what is not,” Gov. Blunt said. “The recommendations on this new Internet site are based on research and sound advice from health experts.”
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services developed the new site in collaboration with a number of health advocacy groups throughout the state.
The Internet site includes information about healthy eating, physical activity, and other lifestyle choices that can impact a person’s health, such as quitting smoking. The site also provides the latest recommendations for health screenings to detect problems early, when they can be more easily treated.
The Internet site is part of the “Live Like Your Life Depends On It” public education campaign, which encourages Missourians to make lifestyle choices that will help them live longer, healthier lives. The campaign’s goal is to reduce chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Chronic disease rates in Missouri are higher than much of the rest of the country. The state ranks ninth in heart disease and seventh in stroke when compared to all 50 states. Nearly seven out of 10 deaths in Missouri are caused by chronic diseases.
“Chronic disease is common in Missouri and is responsible for many serious health problems, disability and premature death,” Health Director Jane Drummond said. “Healthy lifestyle choices can prevent or delay the onset of many of these conditions, which can reduce health care costs and improve your quality of life.”
The Live Like Your Life Depends On It Internet site focuses on the campaign’s four main recommendations for a healthier life:
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Eat Smart – Make healthy food choices including plenty of fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich foods, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
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Move more – Be active at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
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Be tobacco free – Don’t smoke or breathe secondhand smoke.
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Get recommended health screenings – Talk to a health care professional about getting tested for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, colorectal cancer and, for women, breast and cervical cancer.
The site also offers a number of resources, primarily links to other Internet sites, for more detailed information about specific topics. For example, the Eat Smart section includes links to healthy recipes while the Move More section offers links to tips on how to become more physically active. The Be Tobacco Free section connects smokers to information on how to quit.
The online resource is not designed to replace a doctor’s advice, but is intended to supplement the information and care Missourians get from their health care providers.
“Learning about healthy lifestyle choices and visiting the doctor on a regular basis is the best way to live a long and healthy life,” Drummond added.
The Live Like Your Life Depends On It campaign was created by the Live Well Message Alliance, a group of health-related organizations in Missouri, including the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
