{"id":12996,"date":"2015-01-14T09:24:13","date_gmt":"2015-01-14T14:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=12996"},"modified":"2015-01-23T15:48:41","modified_gmt":"2015-01-23T20:48:41","slug":"community-forum-focus-poor-health-effects-quality-life-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2015\/01\/community-forum-focus-poor-health-effects-quality-life-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Community forum to focus on poor health and its effects on quality of life, economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Blood<\/a>Leading business, health care and civic officials will hold a forum on January 22 focusing on the chronically poor health condition of Hamilton County and Tennessee residents. The summit will address how Tennessee\u2019s decades-long position as one of the nation\u2019s unhealthiest states poses risk to the economic potential and quality of life of Chattanooga-area and Tennessee communities, and will also identify state- and community-led initiatives to improve health outcomes.<\/p>\n

The forum will be held in the University Center Auditorium on the campus of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 642 East 5th Street, Chattanooga, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary parking will be provided. Hosts include The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Area Chamber, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and the Tennessee Business Roundtable.<\/p>\n

Speakers and panelists will include JD Hickey, executive vice president and COO, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Claude Ramsey, former Hamilton County mayor; Mike McKee, president, McKee Foods; Bill Kilbride, president and CEO, Chattanooga Area Chamber; Dr. Keith Helton, CEO, One to One Personal Physicians Network; Rick Johnson, CEO, Governor\u2019s Foundation for Health and Wellness; Dr. Allyson Cornell, Southeast Regional Medical Director, Tennessee Department of Health; Dr. Valerie Rutledge, dean of the UTC College of Health, Education and Professional Studies; and Dr. Valerie Boaz, Hamilton County Department of Health.<\/p>\n

\u201cTennesseans may not fully understand the depth and the consequences of the problem,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThe cost, year after year, in human suffering and massive amounts of capital cannot \u2013 and should not \u2013 be sustained. However, if we can come together and commit to addressing this important issue, we can help people change their unhealthy behaviors and ultimately improve our quality of life, reduce health care costs and reduce the cost of doing business in Tennessee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the UTC College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, we are committed to providing highly skilled healthcare professionals who take a comprehensive approach to patient care,\u201d said Rutledge. \u201cIt is important for our students and graduates to understand not only the clinical diagnostics and procedures necessary for healthcare delivery, but also the payment structure and care management environments that their patients experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2014 America\u2019s Health Rankings, an annual report published by UnitedHealth Foundation, ranks Tennessee No. 45 among all states in health status.<\/p>\n

A number of our most troubling indicators are even worse \u2013 diabetes (No. 46), obesity (47), physical inactivity (49), poor physical health days (49) and smoking (46). Tennesseans have a high rate of preventable hospital stays (46) and poor physical health days (49), statistics that illustrate the high costs of workplace absenteeism, disability and health insurance costs.<\/p>\n

The cost of treating preventable, chronic disease in Tennessee is about $6 billion a year, according to analysis by the Governor\u2019s Foundation for Health and Wellness.<\/p>\n

The forum will focus on three key areas:<\/p>\n