Gov. Rounds Calls on South Dakota Residents to Get Healthy

Gov. Rounds Calls on South Dakota Residents to Get Healthy

Nationwide Healthy America Week Kicks Off May 1

Launching Healthy America week activities in South Dakota, Gov. Mike Rounds urged South Dakota residents to join him in creating healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Gov. Rounds' efforts are part of a nationwide effort to promote healthy living. Based on the year-long Healthy America initiative championed by National Governors Association Chairman Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, NGA has proclaimed May 1-5 Healthy America week. During this week, governors across the nation are leading proactive health-related events to highlight the importance of embracing healthy, sustainable lifestyles.

"Healthy America is about emphasizing the simple, yet detailed behavioral and lifestyle change necessary for sustainable long-term health for children, teenagers, and adults," said Gov. Rounds. "This week presents a great opportunity to work together to make our communities, workplaces and schools healthier."

South Dakota recently began a new emphasis on worksite wellness by conducting a two-day training of Department of Health field staff and South Dakota State University (SDSU) Cooperative Extension educators in the area of healthy workplaces. Thirty-six Worksite Wellness Consultants are now trained on the use of the "Strides to a Healthier Worksite" tool kit and are prepared to work with businesses in their communities to provide technical assistance and resources to worksites wanting to implement wellness programs. Additional activities, campaigns and information on South Dakota healthier lifestyles are available at www.healthysd.gov.

Earlier this year, Gov. Rounds joined his colleagues in Washington for the 2006 Healthy America forum sponsored by NGA. The successful forum, which included smaller breakout sessions, focused on an array of real and lasting reforms including: educating the public about community health-related resources; improving access to healthy options in disadvantaged communities; improving the health of state workplaces; encouraging parental engagement in student health; offering attractive, healthier options to students in lunchrooms; and aligning advisory groups across the public and private sector to encourage wellness. Governors who attended the forum exchanged ideas about successful state initiatives and best practices.

Gov. Rounds has proclaimed May 1-5, 2006, as Healthy America Week in South Dakota and encourages all citizens to support and promote this observation. "The arrival of spring brings longer days and better weather," said Gov. Rounds. "Healthy America week is a great time for us to make the changes in our lives that will lead to a healthier South Dakota and a healthier America."

For more information on the Healthy America: Wellness Where We Live, Work and Learn, and to pledge your support for a healthier America, visit www.nga.org.

Note: Healthy America Week Executive Proclamation Attached.
Executive Proclamation
State of South Dakota
Office of the Governor

Whereas, The National Governors Association's chairman's initiative Healthy America is designed to raise national awareness about the urgent need for all Americans to live healthier, more active lives; and,

Whereas, Governors across the nation have been working on a wide variety of health reform-related issues to encourage wellness; and,

Whereas, More than a quarter of all American adults are physically inactive, and 65 percent are overweight; and,

Whereas, Physical activity can greatly reduce the risk of many chronic diseases and health conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers; and,

Whereas, Overweight people at risk for developing diabetes can reduce that risk by 60 percent by becoming physically active for 30 minutes a day and losing a moderate amount of weight; and,

Whereas, Healthy America Week is designed to be the start of a life-long commitment to making good decisions:

Now, Therefore, I, M. Michael Rounds, Governor of the state of South Dakota, do hereby proclaim May 1-5, 2006, as

HEALTHY AMERICA WEEK

in South Dakota and encourage all citizens to support and promote this observation.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of South Dakota, in Pierre, the Capital City, this Twenty-fourth Day of April in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

M. Michael Rounds, Governor

Attest:

Chris Nelson, Secretary of State

http://www.state.sd.us/governor/