Public Health in Oregon - Join The Conversation

I’m not really surprised on this poll because Oregon is shown to be a mainly democratic weighted country, and also more liberal - thus would coincide with President Obama’s actions to improve health in America. It is good to see Oregon is moving in this direction, although it is depressing to think we will not be able to afford this action for many years.

The results are not really surprising. It’s reasonable that most Oregonians surveyed support increasing state funds for programs that provide children with healthier meals and provide physical education. The reality is that the state has to balance its budget and can’t fund everything that Oregonians support.

I always wonder exactly where the information is coming from on these types of polls, such as how many people they polled and what age they were, ect.  I know from where I grew up a big issue was that elderly people did not care about issues regarding younger people as much.  This did surprise me!  I think it is awesome though, and that getting kids healthier lunches in schools is a big priority.

It is great to see that Oregonians are wanting health dollars spent in these areas.  Especially a high amount wanting increases in state funds to provide healthier meals in schools and also the support of more state money for physical education in schools.  I think these ideas are huge factors in how we change the younger generations health now and in the future.

I think it is great to see Oregonians stepping up and providing healthier choices for schools to choose from.  This is definitely one small step at a time, but it is definitely worth it because it is going to provide us with a much healthier future.

I’m glad to see that so many Oregonians find these issues important. Preventative care is really important and that is what we Oregonions want more money spent on. However I am wondering if public opinion would shift if these policies were actually followed through with, if those who would be economically effected in a negative way tried to point out downsides to these policies. Money is always an issue.

I think this poll was a great idea. It raises awareness of what Oregonians really want in our society.  Sure we care about National Health Care, but we really just want to see more preventative measures being passed so that we can live healthier lives in the Green State. Maybe by providing a healthier state, we can be the proof the nation needs to address this nationally.

Its clear that Oregon values healthy initiatives and the idea of preventative care. However I do think there is a disconnect between public opinion and policy because what it all boils down to is, where is the money coming from? Everyone seems to want the best for the nation however when it comes to raising their own taxes, it becomes a different story. We’d like to think that we put the people before monetary interests, however that isn’t always the case.

I think it is great that this survey was conducted!  It educates people about public health, and the actions that can be taken beyond politics in health care.  It also allows the many people who have strong opinions about infrastructure changes to consolidate their opinions into bold statistics.  I hope that the government actually has enough money to make some of these changes happen statewide, or at least that they will see how important these kinds of issues are to the people of Oregon, so that future budgetary changes may be considered.

I believe that those numbers are great and really show that Oregon cares about the problem with obesity. I think that all Oregonians know that this is becoming a problem within the state and nation and needs to be addressed. One of the statistics talked about above that is very important to me is the providing physical education in schools. I know that PE and recess are being cut in many elementary schools limiting how much time a child is active. Even in my high school it was only required for one semester. I think it would help children and teenagers become happier and not as stressed about school.

It is encouraging that Oregonians recognize the importance of funding programs and policy that increase the populations health and set good standards for children.  Habits and behaviors are developed from a young age and the value of teaching children the importance of exercise, eating healthy and not smoking is that it will decrease their risk of contracting chronic diseases.  I would be curious to see if people would actually vote for these knowing their taxes may be raised.

This results surprised me a bit. Being from Portland, I know how proactive its inhabitants are when it comes to health care. Yet this poll showed how an amazing high level of awareness within the town about specific health concerns. Increase funding toward Physical Education, limit Tobacco Advertisements, healthier meals and teeth save lives. And in the long run; Portland might be the Greenest City WITH the healthiest population. Portland has the environment in which people can be have the potential to be healthy, adding these policies will unleash that potentials and create a healthy reality.

I loved seeing all these statistics. It makes me proud to be an Oregonian! We are realizing that we can made a difference in our populations health by taking these steps. I completely agree with what David Rebanal had to say in that Oregonian’s understand health care is about so much more than the health care debate raging nationwide- we have realized that while all of that is going on at the capital, we can make healthy improvements in our state until things are resolved at the federal level.

Preventative care is very important and that statistics show that a lot of the public agrees with that. Its good to see that people also know how important it is to educate kids about health and to start at a young age. There is always going to be a disconnect between policy and opinion. I think that people always like the idea of ideas but they maybe don’t think about where the money will come from and in the end decide against it because the money will take away from something else or increase taxes.

I think that it is good that we are voting for things such as spending money on things that are worth the money. School lunches are not very healthy. It’s all frozen food that they just re heat. How is that healthy? i think that by spending the money on farmed food is great.

I am glad that Oregonians seem to be well educated about the health priorities in Oregon. I do not feel that there is a big disconnect at all. It is clear that the state wants better quality of food and education for our youth, which is the first place we need to start making changes. It starts from the bottom up, and starting with education and healthy foods to our children will improve the health of our communities and state as a whole.

I think its awesome that the people of Oregon are concerned with public health. I usually see polls where people want to limit government control of what their kids eat in school, so it is nice to hear that people actually want healthier lunches for kids.  I also think the people wanting fluoride in their water is a big thing, because I didn’t even know until I was in a class this term that Corvallis doesn’t even have fluoride in their water.  These are great issues to have publicly known.

First and foremost, these ideas are great!  Having 84 percent support more state money to provide physical education in schools, 71 percent wanting lawmakers to limit tobacco advertising in Oregon, and 63 percent supporting the government adding fluoride to drinking water really shows Oregonians are making strides with their thinking for public health.  I’ve always thought the idea of not having fluoride in the water was a bit ambiguous, what is the reasoning behind it?  Also, making physical education a top priority is much needed.  Children are active, young beings, and they are in dire need of an outlet to utilize their energy.

This poll is a great achievement to public health, because the population was not always so supportive of public health measure, but they are now realizing that public health encompasses all aspects. It is great to see that 84% of the population support farm-to-school programs AND more physical education. Since eating habits are obtained when children are young and they spend half of their day at school, it is great to see that emphasize is placed in school programs (which is usually placed less emphasize on). With a more educated population, public health is more likely to triumph.

I think it’s great that Oregonians are putting the pieces together between early prevention and better health for all.  If we spent more money on healthy eating at a younger age we could instill in our children healthful eating that they can pass on to their children.  As for less advertising of tobacco in OR that’s great as well because as most of us know smoking is a huge contributor to chronic diseases!

It’s awesome to see that 84% support increasing funds for farm-to-school programs to provide children with healthier meals. This would be a great start to help inform children when they are younger of healthier choices to make. Along with 84% for physical activity class in school. Children need time to be active and burn off all their energy.

YES! The people of oregon are understanding the importance of putting health first. I am very surprised to see the numbers that were in the polls. That is an enormas increase and will make a huge effect if implemented!

I was impressed to see these results. According to the polls, it looks as though Oregonians are realizing the important steps to making our state, and our nation healthier. I am happy to see that Oregonians are putting interest in educating children in public schools about good nutrition and exercise, because it is never too early to learn how to take care of your body.

All of these actions are perfect for where we are heading as a country. From curative towards prevention. I am not surprised at all about the results of the pull. I agree with Oregon and I think the most important one would be farm to school meal programs.

I would say that all those areas are extremely important! Especially implementing better physical education programs for schools. I think this would be very important since so many children are becoming obese.

The public opinion poll addresses Oregon’s awareness of healthy choices and what is needed for a healthy community, and state. most are in favor of making others aware and having more access to healthy choices and lifestyles.

Oregonians have a full view in what is needed to be done in this state to assure a healthier lifestyle for the future generation. The public opinion poll have reasonable statements that will give a huge impact on health issues that occuring today in our society.

This public opinion poll for Oregon is very good. I agree with where health dollars are being spent, education is for sure the number one place money should be going to, with proper education many health issues can be prevented.

Am I surprised to hear this is what fellow Oregonians want, heck no.  I think that these are ideas we’ve had for a while, we just haven’t done anything about them. Personally, I would love to see all of these ideas be implemented and see funds go to what the public opinion wants to support.  I think that its very important for Oregon to take more of a preventative stand on changing the future for our youth and allowing the ways for change to happen.

By the time these changes that are supported by the public get into politics. The way they are presented is anything but straight forward with the intent. The public is misled and deceived when it comes to measures and changes in policies or laws. Also, once the public realizes these changes are going to be coming out of their pocket, they are less likely to support the change. I think that if people knew how much of a difference that effort on their part could make they might be more willing to do it, because from the numbers the public has good intentions.

The general Public Opinion doesn’t surprise me. You would be hard pressed to find an individual who doesn’t think school children need healthy meals. I believe the disconnect comes when people are asked to pay for the implementation of these programs through their taxes or other means of funding. I believe that policy would be more successful if people were as giving with their checkbooks as they were with their warm-and-fuzzy opinions.

Proud to be an Oregonian after reading that, it’s nice to see that as a state we are focused on preventive care. We realize as a state that hospital care should be a last option and we can cut health care cost dramatically by increasing health standards for schools.

I think these 4 represent a good variation in public opinion. The first two are probably the parents of young school children but the first would also benefit our local economy. And I think that limiting tobacco advertising should be nation wide so the fact that Oregon believes that to be a priority is really awesome. And fluoridation of water is something that would benefit everyone so that should be a priority.

I think that all of these things would have a positive effect on everyone.  The healthier foods in schools are an extremely good thing to have because children are the future and having them eating healthier and engaging in physical activity in schools would solve certain problems like obesity.

It’s great that Oregonians are aware of what needs to be taken care of within their own state as well as staying up-to-date with national issues. If all Americans could improve their individual communities, pretty soon the whole nation’s health would increase.

I think that all of these statements are great and should be taken into deep consideration so they can all be taken into effect. It’s good to see that people understand what it takes to make our country more healthy and taking little steps like these will do a lot to our health care system. Awareness and healthy habits start young, so it would be good to implement nutrition and physical educations in schools along with the other two statements listed.

I am glad to see that they are wanting to provide healthier food to children. It does somewhat shock me since they have cut funding to schools.

I think these statements are great. As public health we are finally making people realize that more goes into health than hospitals and doctors. Getting the general public involved with factors that for example lead to obesity, or cancer is great because we can gain that extra support when it comes time to make the change.

This is so good! education is the first step to a health world. We can only take one step at a time little by little. I support all the percentages and think that if they do happen we are well on the way to a better and healthier future.

I have to agree with all of these statements.  I think we need to protect younger people from tobacco advertisements as well as help teach kids the importance of eating healthy and staying physical.  Our dental/oral health is important as well and by adding fluoride to water, we can help prevent tooth decay and other problems.

I believe that it is important to teach kids at a young age about eating healthy. This can help kids in the future on being healthier, not dealing with obesity, and having a strong and healthier life. It al so great to have physical educational at a young age. It’s important to keep children active and help reduce chances for health issues. Education has such an imperative impact on young kids, if we teach them at young ages it will be more beneficial.

This is great! Oregonians know where its at! We are so educated in the sense that other things need to be done before medical attention is applied. The public opionin is strong and shows that people in the state want a change starting with younger population is seems like. Show the children of the nation that healthier is better from and earlier age. And no i am no surprised

Kids tend to maintain the habits they learned growing up once they reach adulthood. If kids always ate healthy food and got lots of exercise, they are more likely to sub-consciously make those decisions automatically as an adult. Especially since once you get used to eating really good, healthy foods….. sugary foods just don’t taste all that good anymore! I think Oregonians have some great ideas.

Ah, if only it were as easy to keep a community healthy as it is to gather public opinion research! I find it fabulous that people are excited to spend money on the food that children are eating and physical education, but you can eat all the good food as a kid and exercise to the fullest, but when you come into adulthood, those decisions become a choice. I would have said that continuing education should be something on that list, as education regarding those things dead ends somewhere in middle school.

Its great to see that 84 percent of people support increasing state funds for farm-to-school programs to provide children with healthier meals. I know when I was in elementary school, we weren’t served healthy options on a daily basis, and the salad bar was not mandatory. I know now that schools lunch systems have gotten better, but there is always room for improvement.
Its also good to see that 84 percent of people support more state money to provide physical education in schools. This will allow students to get active every day of the week, which will hopefully result in lower obesity rates in children since it is set at such an alarming rate.

I agree with the precentages that others thought money should go to. I think it is important to keep children healthy and teach healthy habits from the beginning, this prevents bad habits from forming and the children dealing with obesity and the health risks that come with that later on it life. It is important to lessen advertisment for smoking and is beneficial for all to have flouride in our water, but I think preventative measures are more important. Healthier meals and more activity for students teaches good habits that will carry over and same everyone trouble in the end.

These issues are important to oregonians but still there are peple and issues that just dont care. I beleive that the lack of knowledge of these issues are what are not letting oregon be extremely well. Everyone should teach themselves about these issues and become knowledgeable about there health.

Its great to see that health and nutrition is stepping up the bar and providing schools with healthier choices to choose from. The proper support given to schools will help sustain the lack of junk eating in America.

I think it is great Oregonians support programs what would make the youth of our state healthier. I strongly believe that providing healthier lunches for children in schools and having a good physical education program are key to taking steps in lowering the obesity rate in America.
I hope that in the near future, there can be policies made in which school lunches become healthier and physical education programs are but back in schools in which they have been removed from.

I think it is great that Oregonians know that there are many ways to making our nation healthier, like providing healthier school lunches and physical education.
Obviously there is a disconnect between policy and opinion because one’s opinion only really affects that one person..however policy will affect many people and their business..which is why there are backlashes in policies.