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Start. Living. Healthy. New program promotes
making healthy choicesA push to help people live better
is funded by the tobacco settlementBy Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.comIslanders will hear that a lot this year during a campaign by the state Department of Health to encourage healthier lifestyles.
Gov. Ben Cayetano proclaimed 2002 as the "Start. Living. Healthy" year.
The statewide, multimedia public awareness campaign will focus on small changes that can have a big impact on health without frustrating people.
State Health Director Bruce Anderson said the goal is to get people started on a healthier path. "Get on your bikes. Take a swim. Go for a walk. There is no time like the present to get started."
The campaign will present practical ideas to help people develop better eating habits, be more physically active and avoid smoking.
It is part of the Health Department's Healthy Hawaii Initiative, created with the state's share of tobacco settlement money. Health-related programs were allocated 35 percent of the fund.
Anderson said the program seeks "to increase the years of healthy life for all of Hawaii's people" and reduce existing health disparities among ethnic groups.
"Although Hawaii is known as the 'Health State,' 50 percent of the adult population is overweight," he pointed out. "There is high incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders."
He said poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and tobacco use are preventable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.
The program will be available as a resource to all residents for information and support as they strive to achieve their health goals.
State and county governments, private businesses, the media and professional organizations are partners in the effort to encourage people to make healthier lifestyle choices.