Update From Hal: SOAR Health Impact Series

Statement

Dear Friend,

I want to personally thank the 1,000-plus people who participated in the SOAR Health Impact Series featuring Dr. Tom Frieden, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week. It's the people of southern and eastern Kentucky who supply the constant elevation, through your involvement and dedication, to really make this region SOAR.

In the midst of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Dr. Frieden dedicated three days to visit eastern Kentucky and address the health disparities in our region. He worked long hours, responding to hundreds of emails and taking midnight phone calls from leaders across the world to discuss the strategy to address Ebola. Meanwhile, he focused on our rural region and answered questions from medical professionals, cancer survivors and many others here at home to help us find answers to our high rates of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Dr. Frieden, we are grateful for your service and passion!

HEALTH IMPACT INVESTMENTS

During the SOAR Health Impact Series, we announced four investments to address health needs in our region, primarily thanks to the CDC and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Each grant has supporting partners, like the University of Kentucky, Morehead State University or the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

-$1.5 million from the CDC and ARC to launch the Appalachian Cancer Patient Navigation Project

-National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to develop the Community Leadership Institute of Kentucky (CLIK)

-$1.08 million from the CDC for the "Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Boost"

-$500,000 from the ARC to continue the "Appalachian Rural Dental Education Partnership" Program

Dr. Frieden and all of our guest speakers gave us a lot of information to think about, along with some challenges, such as growing transportation opportunities for healthcare needs and enhanced communication of services and free screenings.

Dr. Frieden said he was thoroughly impressed by the action in our communities. In the midst of big challenges, there are even greater prevention opportunities and greater solutions.

As we move forward, encourage your friends and loved ones to heed the call to action. Together, we can save lives and help our region SOAR!

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