Clarksville working to become a “Healthier Tennessee Community”

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness has announced the city of Clarksville is the twelfth location in the state to be named a candidate for official designation as a Healthier Tennessee Community.

Healthier Tennessee Communities are those that encourage and enable more physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco abstinence at the local level. The program takes a community-wide approach to improving Tennesseans’ health by engaging the local leaders of cities, towns, counties and neighborhoods.

“Research has shown that we are much more likely to change our health-related behavior and establish healthy habits when we are encouraged and supported by others – when we are in community,” Governor’s Foundation CEO Rick Johnson said. “That’s why making health and wellness an integral part of life where you live – and with the people who surround you – makes such a positive difference.”

In Tennessee, one in four adults smokes, and one in five high school students uses tobacco. Almost 31 percent of the population is classified as obese and an additional 34 percent are overweight, and type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure are at epidemic levels.

“Joining the Healthier Tennessee Communities initiative will not only help positively impact our residents’ quality of life, but will also make us a more attractive location for prospective business,” Jaclyn Beaty, Chair of the Mayor’s Fitness Council said. “Change begins at the local level starting in our homes and workplaces. Where we live, learn, worship, and work are important factors in determining our health and well-being. Our ClarksWell Initiative is working to create healthy workplaces that lead to healthy people, and ultimately a healthier community and economy.”

To be designated an official Healthier Tennessee Community, the ClarksWell Initiative has identified local programing, events, and wellness champions to lead the initiative that engages people in workplaces, schools, and faith organizations.

The community will work to initiate and sustain community-wide events and activities that support physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco abstinence, and then track and measure outputs and accomplishments of the program. The county has one year to complete its work. More information on Clarksville’s efforts to become a healthier city can be found at www.Clarkswell.org .