Oklahoma's Need for a Change in Lifestyle

摘要

As I begin to write my first president's page, I want to start by thanking my predecessors, Drs. Hausheer, Taubman, Baker and Jenkins, for being a strong guiding light and showing me how to be a strong proactive advocate for our patients and the house of medicine. The mission of the Oklahoma State Medical Association is quite simply "Better Health for Oklahomans." In that vein, I have been fortunate to serve on Gov. Stitt's Health Transition Group. The goal is to improve the health of all Oklahoma.Currently, Oklahoma is ranked 47th in the nation by United Health Foundation's Health rankings. This is a decrease from 43rd in 2017. We rank 50th in the State Ranking Scorecard. We rank 49th in the percentage of our population that is uninsured and 48th in obesity and physical inactivity. We are 45th in immunizations, infant mortality, cancer deaths and frequent mental distress. These are unacceptable facts for our state and demonstrate the complexity facing our healthcare delivery system and our Legislature. Our governor desires a top 10 state, but without numerous and difficult changes, we will continue to have a health decline without an option for improvement.