Healthy Active Klamath Coalition

Design for Healthy & Active Living in Klamath County

Meeting Minutes

Coalition Meeting Minutes 4-3-08
Coalition Meeting Minutes 1-10-08
Leadership Minutes 8-27-07

Who are we?

Healthy Active Klamath Coalition is a partnership of community members working together to improve the health of Klamath County residents through the promotion of healthy eating and increased physical activity. The coalition, formed in 2004, is part of a statewide and national movement to address the epidemic of inactivity and poor eating. We believe meaningful change can and should be generated at the local level. We are committed to making "sticky" changes that will last and affect a large number of residents. To accomplish this we will create local policies, environments and a culture that "make the healthy choice, the easy choice." Our prevention efforts will result in less chronic disease such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease; our efforts will also reduce health care costs and improve the quality of life in Klamath County for generations to come. Coalition members include representatives from Klamath County Health Department, Klamath Medical Clinic, City and County Schools, Merle West Medical Center, OSU Extension Service, OHSU Nursing Program.

Why is the effort important?

Obesity has increased 103% in Oregon over the last 14 years. 64% of Klamath County residents are overweight. Less than 56% get enough exercise and only 17% eat enough fruits and vegetables.

Why? People have not become more gluttonous or lazy nor has our gene pool changed. What has changed is our environment; it has become "toxic" to healthy choices. Physical movement has been engineered out of our lives and cheap low nutrition foods are available everywhere

Our lifestyle is taking a toll and it's only going to get worse unless we do something different. Local physician relate tragic stories of adults and children dealing with the impacts of obesity-both physical and mental. We all bear the cost whether we're fat or not-25% of rising health care cost can be attributed to obesity.

What are we doing?

Working with local schools to change school policies that would improve food choices offered in the cafeteria and vending machines.

Increasing opportunities to be physically active, such as hosting Healthy Active Challenge.

Assisting businesses in establishing workplace wellness policies and programs.

Building collaborations with individuals, agencies and businesses to increase awareness of the effects of inactivity and poor food choices.

How can you help?

Join our coalition.

Be a role model-eat smart & move more.

Speak out in your school, place of work, church or other social groups to ensure healthy choices are readily available.

For more information contact

Patty Case, MS, RD at OSU Extension Service, 541-883-7131 or e-mail patty.case@oregonstate.edu

Melissa Klegseth, Klamath County Health Department, 541-882-8846, or e-mail mklegseth@co.klamath.or.us


Do the Fieldhouse Walk Where: Mike's Fieldhouse @ Sports Park off Foothills Dr When: 8 AM -12 PM; Monday - Friday. Donation requested. Healthy Active Klamath Community Sponsors: O.S.U. Extension Service Klamath County Public Health and W.I.C. Klamath Medical Clinic Sky Lakes Medical Center	Healthy Active Klamath Coalition Design for Healthy & Active Living in Klamath County Meeting Minutes Coalition Meeting Minutes 4-3-08 Coalition Meeting Minutes 1-10-08 Leadership Minutes 8-27-07 Who are we? Healthy Active Klamath Coalition is a partnership of community members working together to improve the health of Klamath County residents through the promotion of healthy eating and increased physical activity. The coalition, formed in 2004, is part of a statewide and national movement to address the epidemic of inactivity and poor eating. We believe meaningful change can and should be generated at the local level. We are committed to making "sticky" changes that will last and affect a large number of residents. To accomplish this we will create local policies, environments and a culture that "make the healthy choice, the easy choice." Our prevention efforts will result in less chronic disease such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease; our efforts will also reduce health care costs and improve the quality of life in Klamath County for generations to come. Coalition members include representatives from Klamath County Health Department, Klamath Medical Clinic, City and County Schools, Merle West Medical Center, OSU Extension Service, OHSU Nursing Program. Why is the effort important? Obesity has increased 103% in Oregon over the last 14 years. 64% of Klamath County residents are overweight. Less than 56% get enough exercise and only 17% eat enough fruits and vegetables. Why? People have not become more gluttonous or lazy nor has our gene pool changed. What has changed is our environment; it has become "toxic" to healthy choices. Physical movement has been engineered out of our lives and cheap low nutrition foods are available everywhere Our lifestyle is taking a toll and it's only going to get worse unless we do something different. Local physician relate tragic stories of adults and children dealing with the impacts of obesity-both physical and mental. We all bear the cost whether we're fat or not-25% of rising health care cost can be attributed to obesity. What are we doing? Working with local schools to change school policies that would improve food choices offered in the cafeteria and vending machines. Increasing opportunities to be physically active, such as hosting Healthy Active Challenge. Assisting businesses in establishing workplace wellness policies and programs. Building collaborations with individuals, agencies and businesses to increase awareness of the effects of inactivity and poor food choices. How can you help? Join our coalition. Be a role model-eat smart & move more. Speak out in your school, place of work, church or other social groups to ensure healthy choices are readily available. For more information contact Patty Case, MS, RD at OSU Extension Service, 541-883-7131 or e-mail patty.case@oregonstate.edu Melissa Klegseth, Klamath County Health Department, 541-882-8846, or e-mail mklegseth@co.klamath.or.us