Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Lt. Governor Judge Announces Dates, Cities For Wellness Town Hall Meetings
10 events across state to focus on healthy living
(Mason City) Today, Lt. Governor Judge announced the dates and cities of town hall meetings focused on promoting healthier lifestyles. Led by her Commission on Wellness and Healthy Living, these meetings are designed to begin a conversation across the state centered on new and innovative ways to improve the health of Iowans.
“For years we have heard about growing risks to our state’s health - like childhood obesity and rising numbers of people suffering from chronic illnesses,” said Lt. Governor Judge. “These issues impact the lives of nearly every Iowan, but they are preventable. As a former nurse, I know that the best way to improve the health of Iowans and avoid the suffering of thousands of people is to promote healthier lifestyles and better living.”
The Commission will hold meetings on the following dates:
- Ft. Dodge – Tuesday, July 10th
- Burlington – Wednesday, July 11th
- Quad Cities – Thursday, July 12th
- Sioux City – Tuesday, July 17th
- Newton – Wednesday, July 18th
- Mason City – Thursday, July 19th
- Oskaloosa – Tuesday, July 24th
- Cass County – Wednesday, July 25th
- Cedar Rapids – Monday, August 6th
- Waterloo – Tuesday, August 7th
Lt. Governor Judge announced the creation of this commission earlier this month, comprised of five members – one for each congressional district. It is chaired by Dr. Selden Spencer (4th District) and also includes Sen. Maggie Tinsman (1st District), school nurse leader Sharon Yearous (2nd District), county public health director Kim Dorn (3rd District) and businessman Art Silva (5th District).
The Lt. Governor’s first stop today took her to Mason City, where she visited the Mason City YMCA and learned about the innovative programs they provide to encourage better living throughout northern Iowa. She also held a roundtable with community leaders to discuss their thoughts on how to promote wellness.
Later in the day, the Lt. Governor participated in the Kids Café program at the Salvation Army in Waterloo. Sponsored by the Food Bank of Northeast Iowa, this program promotes better nutrition and provides meals for hungry children in Blackhawk County.