Live Healthy North Texas

Last month Live Healthy North Texas (LHNT) held a kick-off press conference in the Collins Center on SMU’s campus thanks to the Human Resources Department of the university who will also be participating in the program. The event highlighted the collaborative effort of 10 local chambers coming together with the Dallas County Medical Society, the DFW Hospital Council and the Health Industry Council to promote healthcare in the region and support wellness programs for companies and individuals looking to make a real change.

Citing a study in the January-February 2009 issue of Health Affairs, Wally Gomaa of Holmes Murphy revealed some staggering details of the health care problem our Nation faces. Concluding that 75 percent of the country’s $2.5 trillion in health care spending has to do with four increasingly prevalent chronic diseases: obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Most cases of these diseases, the report stated, are preventable because they are caused by behaviors like poor diets, inadequate exercise and smoking. Wally, who personally lost over 140 pounds, was a personal testament to the ability of employers to make a difference in their employee’s lives and well-being.

Executive Director of Iowa based Live Healthy America, Troy Vincent, outlined the initiative and highlighted North Texas as a national beacon of the program and wellness efforts. Then as a corporate example Keith Hults, Senior Vice President for Benefits at Baylor Health Care System, spoke about the great success Baylor has seen over the past three years that they have been involved with the program. Numerous questions from reporters were fielded by the participants prior to Ambassador Oberwetter of the Dallas Regional Chamber concluding the press conference by thanking all the collaborative partners and sponsors. As well, he reinforced the significant impact that Live Healthy North Texas can have on the health and viability of the entire region.

In case you have not heard, the Live Healthy North Texas 100 Day Challenge is a team based, weight loss and physical activity program that assists individuals in making positive changes that lead to a healthier lifestyle. By competing in Live Healthy North Texas participants begin to form healthy habits through physical activity and improved nutrition. In this way Dallas and the North Texas Region will become forerunners in the vital race to create a healthier Texas and America.

At the Dallas Regional Chamber, we want you to be involved in Live Healthy North Texas too and helping to promote the importance of living healthy lifestyles, especially in the workplace. For more information please visit the chamber website and www.livehealthynorthtexas.org or you can e-mail healthcare@dallaschamber.org.