How healthy is Chattanooga and Tennessee compared to other cities and states in the US? NBC4 in Washington, D.C. rated us as 44^th in the nation, but then all the Southeastern states were at the bottom of their list. United Health Foundation, in partnership with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, in its yearly assessment of the relative healthiness of the nation, declared Minnesota to be the healthiest state in the nation while Tennessee ranked 47^th. Men’s Fitness Magazine lists Seattle as the healthiest city while Memphis is noted as one of the fattest.

Harvard researchers listed Hawaii as the healthiest state with a life expectancy for men and women of 80 years. The Southeastern states were again at the bottom of their list. "There are millions of Americans that have life spans the same as in developing countries," says Dr. Christopher Murray of the Harvard School of Health who led the study. "That alone is pretty remarkable, considering we spend $5,000 a year per person on health care." However, these researchers believe that differences are not directly related to factors most commonly thought to be associated with disparities such as income, insurance, infant mortality, AIDS or violence, They say that the most important contributors to earlier mortality, in order of importance, are tobacco, alcohol, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diet and physical inactivity.  Murray says that personal choices might be more important than access to medical care. “Though 85 percent of the population has health insurance, half of those with high blood pressure fail to get it controlled, two-thirds of those with high cholesterol do not receive statins to bring it down and two-thirds of those with diabetes fail to manage it,” he says.

Not one state earns a passing grade when it comes to women's health, according to the National Women's Law Center, the Oregon Health & Science University, and FOCUS on Health & Leadership for Women at the University Of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. According to the study, women are second-class citizens when it comes to health care in America. More than one in eight women lack health insurance, it says, and insurance coverage is "often inadequate to meet women's needs.” This report has Tennessee rated as 41^st in providing for women’s health care needs. 

         

            Ron Blankenbaker, M.D., Chairman, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Health Council’s Health Futures Committee says that Chattanooga rates at the bottom of most healthy city scales, even compared to other cities in Tennessee, but he believes that we are gradually changing that. “We are working with area restaurants and schools to improve offerings, but we realize that we are not going to change lifelong eating habits of people overnight,” he says. “It may take a generation to persuade people to eat better and exercise more. We are working to reduce risks of heart disease and cancer, leading causes of death that are tied to these habits. We are placing greater emphasis on prevention,” he notes. 

The Regional Health Council’s Community Health Planning Committee has identified five health priorities. They are: (1) Obesity, diet and exercise, (2) Tobacco use, (3) Risky sexual behaviors, (4) Alcohol and drug use, and (5) Lack of involvement in health screenings and other preventive measures. Numbers 1 and 2 are tied as top priorities. The committee agrees that many of the causes of illness, disability, and premature death for Hamilton County residents are determined by lifestyle and personal choices.

Step ONE is a county-wide program designed to address the problem of obesity, promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles in our community. The Hamilton County Health Department and Regional Health Council partnered with the county mayor to launch this initiative. Other agencies, organizations, churches, restaurants, hospitals, insurers, schools, and physicians are being recruited as partners. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and other area colleges play active roles. “We are very proud that we were a bit ahead of the curve recognizing our need for healthier living and eating,” says County Mayor, Claude Ramsey. “We initiated our Step ONE program in 2004 with two simple notions to “Eat Smart” and “Just Move It.” We believe these nationally recognized Step ONE initiatives are broad enough to be practiced by any age group, whether they are youngsters, young adults or older people. We believe that we have increased awareness about the importance of changing health habits and anticipate that Step ONE will help people to live better, healthier lives and age well.”

           

Health Care leaders encourage residents to take advantage of the many opportunities to improve their health and age well. “Access to quality health care is of prime importance to ‘aging well’ in any city, and Chattanooga is more blessed than many comparably sized communities,” says Jim Brexler, Erlanger Health Systems President and CEO. “Erlanger, in partnership with the University of Tennessee College Of Medicine, offers the unique benefits of an academic medical center, superior patient care driven by cutting edge technology, access to the latest clinical protocols and exceptional physician faculty,” he notes. “Each month our Community Relations program offers numerous low and no-cost health screenings, classes and fitness opportunities. For more than a century Erlanger has been dedicated to the wellness of citizens of every age in our community. That commitment continues today,” says Brexler.

Ruth Brinkley, President and CEO, Memorial Health Care System believes Chattanooga offers many key opportunities for adults for aging well. “In addition to the availability of good health care, we have excellent recreational, cultural, and social opportunities that give balance to our lives,” she says. “Our churches offer programs to add spiritual depth and encourage people to have a purpose beyond themselves, a commitment to serve and help others.  All of these things are important to aging well, and Chattanooga is a beautiful and abundantly rich place to find what you need at every age for healthy living.” Brinkley says that in order to age well, it’s important to begin at an early age practicing good health habits that address physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. Memorial’s Parish Nurse Program makes healthy living information even more available by putting it out in area churches.

Darrell Moore, Parkridge Medical Center CEO notes, “The health of Chattanoogans is impacted in so many ways by the personal choices we make,” He added, “By the nature of our surroundings, we can choose to do everything from mountain climbing to walking along the riverfront. Chattanooga is also home to many restaurants that purposely feature menus filled with healthy choices. In looking at our population, regardless of age, I think it’s of particular significance that Chattanooga benefits from a full complement of healthcare resources. Few communities of our size enjoy such a comprehensive and varied scope of physicians and healthcare facilities, important factors in our ability to remain healthy as we age,” he explains.

               Dr. Brian Kalla at Siskin Hospital observed, "Studies show that the general health of the greater Chattanooga area is far below the national average. This is in large part due to lifestyle issues including poor diet and tobacco use. The unhealthy diet leads to obesity and diabetes, which contribute to an increased incidence of heart disease and stroke, as well as multiple other diseases. Dietary changes, regular exercise and smoking cessation could make a positive impact on the general health of this region."

 

According to Hamilton Health Care System President and CEO, John S. Bowling, the key health issues in northwest Georgia emanate from the large carpet and flooring workforce.  Disease management, focusing on areas like diabetes and heart disease, is emerging as a key collaborative opportunity to improve community health and contain rising health care costs. Hamilton Health Care System, headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, continues to position itself as the region’s referral center through technology and facility enhancements in cardiac, vascular, emergency and women’s health.  Bowling reports that Hamilton seeks to strengthen its ties with area physicians and employers while continuing its reputation for quality, safety and service.

 

Charles Stewart, President and CEO, Hutcheson Medical Center adds, “The current state of health care in the Chattanooga and north Georgia region is excellent as far as choices, but regrettably our region continues to rank poorly in several areas such as obesity, which contributes to a high incidence of diabetes, cancer and other weight related problems.”   According to Mr. Stewart, smoking and tobacco use remains a major concern for the area, causing higher levels of lung related illnesses including cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  He noted, “Options for treatment in our area are plentiful, but a significant issue is the lack of preventative care that could help many people avoid more serious illnesses.  I am very proud that Hutcheson has taken several initiatives to address these problem areas within the north Georgia/ Chattanooga area.  Hutcheson’s Diabetic and Thyroid Treatment Center, Intensive Care Unit, Battlefield Auxillary Breast Center and the Fuller Cancer Center all provide the highest level of care.”

           

Any discussion of health must include the dimension of spiritual health. Though not always explainable, spirituality appears to be tied to wellness and healing, and for many people, prayer has many positive benefits. “I believe in looking holistically at life in general and in terms of health, says Chris Robinson, Youth Leader at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. “If someone knows that they are being cared for, prayed for and comforted by prayer, my guess is that there is a relationship to a longer life. Interacting with another person makes life more meaningful, but to interact with our Father, a Supreme Being who cares for us would have to add to life in length and fulfillment,” says Robinson. 

In many instances, we have the power to determine our state of health and our quality of life by the choices we make. Many programs, services and public facilities support efforts of residents to develop healthy lifestyles. We have stunning riverfront walkways, abundant parks and green space, plentiful recreational facilities, and health clubs catering to individual needs. Opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, running and biking abound.   We are continually reminded of the impact that even minimum levels of exercise and activity have on both mind and body.