Page 16
The INDEPENDENT, July 6, 2011
Columbia Health Coalition kicks off new program at county fair
From page 11
The Coalition started with sup-
port from state and national
funding for Public Health. CHC
is comprised of representatives
from partner agencies includ-
ing Columbia Community Men-
tal Health (Leeann Grasseth),
Clatskanie Together Coalition
(Breanne Mares), Vernonia
Prevention Coalition (DeAnna
Pearl), Vernonia Health Board
(Heather Lewis), The Public
Health Foundation of Columbia
County (Sherrie Ford and Ash-
ley Swanson), Scappoose
Farmer’s Market (Bill Blank),
The Vault (Meredith Reading),
OSU
Extension
(Jenny
Rudolph), school districts
(Brenda Rafferty, Tish Hora),
and the community at-large
(Gary Heide). The mission is to
empower the community to in-
crease
opportunities
for
healthy lifestyles through initia-
tives for policy, systems, and
environmental change. The
Coalition aims to change “com-
munity norms” of less healthy
behaviors and create a com-
munity that supports more ac-
tive forms of transportation,
healthier eating and less tobac-
co use.
Why is this important? Phys-
ical inactivity, poor nutrition,
and tobacco use/exposure are
the leading factors for in-
creased chronic conditions.
According to the Oregon
Healthy Teen survey 2007-08:
17.5% of eighth graders are
overweight, and 16% are
obese. 18.9% of eleventh
graders are overweight and
9.6% are obese. The adults in
Columbia County are also
struggling with health issues:
36% of are overweight and
31% are obese according to
the Behavior Risk Surveillance
Survey 2004-07.
The passport was created
as a project of the coalition,
with generous support from the
following businesses: KOHI,
Columbia County Rider, Scap-
poose Farmers Market, Ver-
nonia Open Air Market, Eisen-
schmidt Pool, Rainier Briarcliff
Pool, The Clatskanie Recre-
ation Center, Barlow Bikes,
Clatskanie Anytime Fitness,
and The Vault.
Health laws will change services
From page 8
small business will have ac-
cess to quality, affordable
health care through a central
marketplace. It will put the pow-
er into the hands of consumers
and business owners by creat-
ing a local exchange that offers
more choice, competition, val-
ue and transparency.
Nominations are now open
for the Oregon Health Insur-
ance Exchange Board of Direc-
tors and for four work groups
established to provide input on
the plans for Coordinated Care
Organizations. To learn how to
apply, go to www.health.ore
gon.gov
Deadline for nominations is
July 15.
Just for Fun
Casey and Kyle by Will Robertson
He that will
not
apply
new
reme-
dies
must
expect new
Solve this Sudoku
Do n ’ t g e t b u r n e d i n t h i s
maze
evils;
for
time is the
greatest in-
novator.
FRANCIS BA-
CON
English
philosopher
Answer to June 16
Sudoku is on page 20
(1561-1626)