August 7, 2006
Join State Legislators From Across the Nation in a 5K Fun Run/Walk
Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George will kick off the Walk for Wellness
NASHVILLE—State lawmakers and legislative staff members from across the nation will travel 3.2 miles on foot August 16 to raise awareness of healthy living. The Walk for Wellness, a 5K fun run/walk that will take place during the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2006 Annual Meeting, aims to call attention to the devastating effects of heart disease, diabetes and obesity on Americans, and especially on minorities.
Former Tennessee Titans Running Back Eddie George will kick-off the event at 6:30 a.m. at the Gaylord Springs Golf Course. George is the founder of EGX Lifestyle, a company that promotes healthy living.
"Being healthy takes discipline," George said. "It's not easy, but it has to be a way of life. Every mile is just the sum of a number of small steps and this event helps drive that message home."
To make this more than a one-day event, the Walk will donate $2,500 to Music City Moves Kids!, a program designed to increase physical activity among children in Davidson County, Tennessee. Keeping kids and adults moving can help prevent obesity, which is a risk factor for both heart disease and diabetes.
Coronary heart disease is the nation's single leading cause of death, according to the American Heart Association. In 2006, an estimated 1.2 million Americans will suffer from a coronary attack, and about 479,000 of them will die. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 70 million Americans currently live with a cardiovascular disease.
Women and minority populations including African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans are especially affected by heart disease, studies show. Women are 20 percent more likely than men to die in a hospital after a heart attack. And African American women have a 69 percent higher death rate from heart disease than white women.
American Indians and Alaska Natives are more likely to die early from heart disease than any other racial or ethnic group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Diabetes affects minority populations disproportionately as well. African American, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native adults are twice as likely as white adults to have diabetes. According to the Indian Health Service, American Indians and Alaska Natives report the highest rate of type 2 diabetes in the world.
"As a nation, we need to take these statistics to heart," says Montana Representative Joey Jayne, a member of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators. "State lawmakers can help make that happen by supporting policies that encourage Americans to get healthy and stay healthy, and by setting a good example."
The native caucus, as well as the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, the Women's Legislative Network of NCSL and the NCSL Health Committee are co-sponsors of this event.
There is no charge to participate. The event it is open to the public. It will take place at the Gaylord Springs Golf Course. For NCSL Annual Meeting attendees, buses will depart from the presidential portico of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center at 6:30 a.m. The run/walk will begin at 6:45. Buses will transport Annual Meeting attendees back to their hotels at 8 a.m. This event will not be timed.
To register, send us your name and contact information.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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