Regional Health Summit held in Jackson
JACKSON, Tenn. — Health organizations and nonprofits met in West Tennessee Thursday to discuss their impact on the local economy.
“… to allow them to see how health, education, and income link together to make a healthier population,” Kristine Bowers said with the Tennessee Institute of Public Health.
Dr. Randy Wykoff with East Tennessee State University’s College of Public Health said the physical well-being of a community fits directly in line with the health of an economy.
“We should never accept this the way it is, has always been, or must be. The second message is, the way we’re going to change it is by working together; by realizing that economic development, education, healthcare, behavior change, are all necessary to improve in a region,” Dr. Wykoff explained.
Leaders with the Jackson Chamber explained how helpful these types of events are.
“Health is a very important component of economic development, a healthy workforce, trained workforce, all of that goes into helping promote the area and attracting industry,” Kingsley Brock, Executive Director of the Jackson Regional Partnership said.
One component of the day included grants from Blue Cross Blue Shield being handed out to four organizations for $1,000. Dr. Wykoff said problems like obesity, which 30 percent of Tennesseans face, need to be taken on by the local community.
“We’re starting to realize these are issues we need to deal with, and we’re starting to see groups like this getting together, saying we as a region are going to improve our quality of life,” Dr. Wykoff said.
The four organizations receiving grants included the Jackson Center for Independent Living, LeBonheur Children’s Hosptal, the UT Extension Office, and the Jackson-Madison County Health Department.
