Press & Media
The Blog
June 14, 2017
Texas Health Professionals From All Sectors Unite For a Healthier State
Written By Drs. David Lakey, Associate Vice Chancellor for Population Health and Chief Medical Officer for The University of Texas System, and Baker Harrell, Founder & CEO of IT’S TIME TEXAS
Nearly two-thirds of all deaths in Texas are due to chronic disease. Most chronic diseases share three risk factors: tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. These risk factors contribute significantly to increased rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, breathing problems, lung disease, and some cancers.
Obesity alone will cost Texas employers a minimum of $9.5 billion dollars this year and, if current trends continue, could cost Texas employers as much as $32 billion a year by 2030.
We have a tremendous opportunity to turn the tide toward better health in Texas, but we must move quickly and work collaboratively. This is why our two organizations, IT’S TIME TEXAS and The University of Texas System, have joined together to create Healthier Texas – a unique public-private initiative designed to rapidly reduce the burden of preventable chronic disease in the Lone Star State. The Healthier Texas Summit represents our initiative’s first major project and an important step forward in the movement for a healthier state.
The Healthier Texas Summit on November 6th & 7th in Austin, Texas will empower leaders from diverse sectors across the state with the latest science and proven approaches to improve health where Texans live, learn, work, worship, and shop. Summit tracks will cover topics including practical applications of population health research; enabling investment in prevention; creating healthier public spaces; community capacity building; the present and future of health communications, and innovations and best practices in workplace wellness and school health. Sessions range in format from interactive workshops to panels and town hall discussions with local leaders. Unique sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are also available for companies looking to place their brand in front of Texas’ brightest, most dedicated health champions.
Whether we will be reconnecting or meeting for the first time, we look forward to seeing you in November as we all work together to improve the health of our great state.
Stay Connected
We use social media to share resources, tools, and information to help you, your family, and your friends live healthy lives. It’s also a great way to join and connect with a growing network of Texans committed to making living healthy easier in our great state!
