Sen. AJ Griffin will be among 123 Oklahomans gathering in Sulphur next week for a Town Hall Meeting on how to improve public health in the state. Griffin, R-Guthrie, said Oklahoma ranks far too high when it comes to many illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, substance abuse and addiction.
Oklahoma Senator AJ Griffin
“Oklahoma is ranked 44th in the nation in overall health. We have the fourth highest rate of death from all causes in the country,” Griffin said. “But we also know that many of these illnesses could be dramatically reduced with increased awareness, education and personal responsibility. The question is, how can Oklahoma do a better job of achieving those things? This Town Hall will give us an opportunity to examine those challenges and develop solutions.”
The Sulphur Town Hall Meeting will take place on October 26th through the 29th, and is sponsored by the Oklahoma Academy, a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1967 by Gov. Henry Bellmon to bring public attention to policy issue, provide objective, well-researched information and make recommendations that will result in positive change.
Griffin said the state had made tremendous strides in some areas including lowering the infant mortality rate and reducing tobacco use, but there is more to be done.
“These are illnesses that drain billions of dollars from our economy. People who are unhealthy will typically have a much lower quality of life. It isn’t just them, but their entire family is impacted,” Griffin said. “We certainly don’t want our state to be defined by poor health. What I want to see is for us to become a leader in encouraging healthy changes for the better, so that we are seen as a leader for promoting better health.”
For more information, contact Sen. AJ Griffin at 405-521-5628, or email [email protected].
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