Polk County Health Council members hope local citizens will walk and run toward health and away from chronic diseases. One way the health council plans to accomplish this is with the Ocoee Run for Health event on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Ocoee Run for Health will include divisions: a 5K run, a 5K walk and a one-mile walk.
"All participants will receive T-shirts to celebrate the decision to improve their health by being more active. Cash prizes for the 5K run range from $50 to $100. A Road Warrior’s Cup will also be awarded to the group with the largest number of people participating to encourage a little friendly competition," organizers said. "Get your workplace, church group, book club, classroom or other group together as a team for the honor of being the Polk County Road Warriors."
For more information about age categories, prizes and registration, visit www.ocoeerunforhealth.com.
The Polk County Health Council is holding the Run for Health with the tobacco lawsuit settlement money they received this year. According to Donna Calhoun, chairperson of the Polk County Health Council, “We hope to encourage healthy habits in Polk County with events like the Ocoee Run for Health.”
She went on to say "The most recent statistics show 71 percent of Polk County adults do not smoke. E-cigarettes are a fairly new trend advertised as a safe alternative to smoking. However, secondhand vapor has cancer causing chemicals in it and the nicotine refills aren’t required to be childproof. They come in candy and fruit flavors that appeal to children. One teaspoon of liquid nicotine can be lethal to a child and a smaller amount can cause severe illness that usually requires a trip to the emergency department. A toddler in New York died last December from drinking an e-cigarette refill and calls to poison control centers have dramatically increased with increasing sales of e-cigarettes."
“We hope to keep increasing the percentage of nonsmokers to reduce the risk of serious health conditions including cancer, heart disease, lung disease and low birth- weight, premature babies,” said Polk County Health Department Director Jeannie Bentley.
"Employees who smoke cost their employers an average of $5,816 each year in lost productivity, absenteeism and higher healthcare costs. Industries prefer to locate in communities where residents have healthy habits and are less likely to miss work," officials said.
The Polk County Health Council is a partnership of agencies. Organizations represented on the council are UT Extension Polk County, Coordinated School Health Polk County, Polk County Health Department, People Helping People, Benton Family Health Care and numerous volunteers. Proceeds from the Run for Health will be donated to school organizations promoting and supporting healthy lifestyle activities.
"Polk County has many beautiful outdoor areas for hiking, swimming and other activities and the health council hopes to encourage local residents to be outside and active by sponsoring the Run for Health," organizers said.
For more information on the run or to register, call U.T. Extension at 338-4503, the Polk County Health Department at 338-4533 in Benton or 496-3275 in Copper Basin, or go to www.ocoeerunforhealth.com.