LAWTON Okla_ A recent health
study finds Oklahomans have slightly improved when it comes to taking care of
themselves in the last year.
The United
Health Foundation lists all 50 states' overall health from best to worst. Oklahoma is ranked 43rd
overall, up from 46th last year.
Local health
experts said while they are happy Oklahomans have shown progress when it comes
to their health, it's still not enough. Some even offered some ideas on how we
can continue the upward spiral of good healthy living.
"It's a
good jump from 46 to 43," Dr. Mayank Dave, Lawton Family Practitioner said. "It's a good
improvement. That tells us that people are living a healthier life here."
The health
study says the state's current ranking is associated with a lower infant
mortality rate, increased immunization coverage of children 19 to 35 months,
low cases of infectious diseases, a jump in the number of people with health
insurance and a decrease of children under 18 living in poverty.
Dr. Dave says
there are a few other factors as well.
"The
smoking prevalence has gone down, even though there are 45% people that still
smoke. It's less than it used to be before, and people binge drink less, so
that makes a good impact on the quality of life."
Dr. Dave said
he still sees areas where Oklahomans struggle, keeping the state near the
bottom of the rankings.
"More
prominent are obesity, diabetes and sedentary life style, which makes poor
health for people in general."
Janette New of
the Comanche County Health Department said while she's glad to see infant health
care and other state programs improve, there is a bigger picture each year when
the state health rankings are released.
"I think
this is a way to let the citizens know that we are trying to improve the
citizens of Oklahoma,"
New said. "The more awareness we create of the issues that are keeping our
numbers down, the more improvements we can make."
She said it all
starts with educating yourself on living a healthier lifestyle.
"Look at
ways to incorporate physical activities. We know that is a huge factor in our
obesity rate. People are very sedentary in our state, so pushing the fruits and
vegetables opposed to the pre-packaged chips and candy and cookies that really
have fat levels in them."
Dr. Dave also mentioned that our average life span continues to grow, but
even though we're living longer, many suffer with chronic conditions. He said a
healthier lifestyle can make that long life more enjoyable.
For a closer
look at the state's ranking, you can visit. Comanche County
is getting set to release their own health study sometime next year.
