Health board discusses how to turn around state’s ranking

After hearing about the health department’s efforts to improve health outcomes as laid out in its five-year strategic map, board members and other officials discussed how Oklahoma can turn around its dismal health rankings in numerous nationwide studies. “Why would we deprive our kids of the knowledge and power of making healthy choices?” Oklahoma Health Commissioner Terry Cline said. “And right now, that’s not a priority.” The department’s plans for addressing poor health outcomes include facilitating access to primary care, focusing on prevention, using health data effectively and planning for technology and policy changes, said Julie Cox-Kain, chief operating officer. Board member Murali Krishna said poor health choices are being made by individuals, not the government. The health department, however, still has a part to play in making healthy choices easier. “Agencies like ours . . . have a significant role in being the stimulus, the catalyst,” he said. Copyright 2011 World Publishing Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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