Looking at wellness in a different way; that’s the promise of the upcoming Muskogee Wellness Initiative Forum.

Jane Jones with the Muskogee County Health Department said the event will help people look as a group at Muskogee’s wellness.

“I think they will learn to look at community wellness in a different way, to learn to see that we are all part of this bigger picture,” Jones said. “It’s an opportunity to hear ideas that come from the community that can make our whole town healthier.”

The Muskogee Turning Point Coalition, city of Muskogee, Care ATC and the Muskogee County Health Department are encouraging businesses, churches, civic organizations and schools to send representatives to the Muskogee Wellness Initiative Forum.

The free forum is set for 3-5 p.m. Thursday at the Muskogee Civic Center. This forum will provide participants with information on the state of Muskogee residents’ health and opportunities to develop strategies for improving the health of all citizens.

Jones said a group effort is needed to make the big changes that are necessary.

“The purpose of the initiative is to really focus on creating a healthier community, and we know that takes more than one person deciding to eat better or exercise,” she said. “As a community we’ve really got to work together on this. We have very unhealthy habits as a whole, and so it’s going to take all of us working together to change this.”

Jones said Dr. James Baker is going to set the stage with giving a picture of what the health of Muskogee looks like, but then the forum will go on to look at solutions.

“Then I think the breakout sessions are going to help us — as a group — look at what are some things we can try that may change the whole norm in our community,” she said.

Jones said there are three main wellness problems in Muskogee.

“We certainly are struggling with the big three: One, healthy weight or good nutrition; two, most of our citizens are not getting regular physical activity, and three, tobacco. A fourth of our citizens are still using tobacco products.”



If you go



WHAT: Muskogee Wellness Initiative Forum.

WHERE: Muskogee Civic Center.

WHEN: 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday.

ETC.: Free and open to the public.

INFORMATION: Jane Jones, 683-0321.

Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email