Oregonians speak out – a series of conversations about creating a healthy environment for everyone in our community.
How can good health cut costs?
The power of prevention
Preventive health can play a major role in curbing health care costs in our communities. Public opinion research shows that people support prevention and wellness programs – rather than expensive prescriptions and trips to the doctor. To make this happen, Oregonians need to demand big changes from our policymakers to create ways to sustain public health. Changes like planning neighborhoods with walkable routes to parks and restaurants. Encouraging farmers markets that sell healthy food and grow our local economies. And supporting accessible public transportation. When choices like these become the social norm in our society, it will cost us less to stay healthy.
Su Midghall, Opinion Researcher, Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc.
The proof of wellness
As a health care professional working for one of Oregon’s leading companies, I know that at-work wellness programs can have a major impact on the financial health of businesses. We’re committed to keeping our employees healthy and productive with cost-effective ways for them to make positive changes to their health. Our Energy for Life wellness program encourages weight loss and provides incentives for adopting healthier lifestyles. Alternative transportation programs encourage biking to work. And convenient onsite wellness screenings identify early health issues to help curb rising health care insurance premiums. A bonus is that these programs help PGE attract and retain our highly skilled workforce.
Sandi Graf, RN, Occupational Health Specialist, Portland General Electric/Safety and Human Resources
The promise of support
Throughout Oregon, one of the biggest factors affecting the health of our rural communities is poverty. Because of Coos County’s high poverty rate, many people in our community do not have access to the healthy choices they need to thrive. Things like healthy, nutritious food for families. And prenatal care for pregnant mothers. As Oregonians, one of the most important things we can do is work to provide a stable source of funding to keep effective public health programs going in our communities – especially programs that focus on promoting healthy living. Over time, these programs are critical to saving resources and building a healthy future for everyone in Oregon.
Molly Ford, President, Coos County Friends of Public Health
“Investing in public health is a powerful way to help keep our communities healthy. A focus on everyday prevention and wellness will also keep health care costs down.”
— Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H.,
Acting Public Health Director and State Health Officer, Oregon Department of Human Services
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Where Does Good Health Start?
The food industry spent more than $11 billion in 2004 on advertising in the US for foods and beverages. 