Media Contact: Liz Cox, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Liz

Media Contact:
Liz Cox, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
[email protected], (515) 246-3079
Oregon challenges Iowa in effort to become the Healthiest State
Des Moines, Iowa – November 13, 2014. The state of Oregon today announced the launch of a
wellness effort modeled after Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative.
The Oregon Healthiest State Initiative will lead the effort, learning from the successes of the publicprivate partnerships championed by the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. The Oregon group will also
utilize the Blue Zones Project®, and chart progress using the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index® as
its measurement tool.
“We’ve been working collaboratively with Oregon leadership and the Oregon Business Council over
the past year,” says Ric Jurgens, board president of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. "We're
delighted that Oregon is joining us in a commitment to improving well-being and look forward to
sharing ideas that will help both states succeed."
Oregon is currently 25th in the Well-Being Index rankings, while Iowa ranks 10th. When Iowa launched
its Initiative in 2011 the state ranked 19th.
”Iowa’s steady improvement is a credit to the dedication and collaboration of volunteers, business
leaders, public health officials and cross-sections of non-profit organizations working together with all
Iowans to become the healthiest state in the nation," Jurgens said.
The Iowa Initiative is determined to get to number one by driving engagement in a handful of healthy
behaviors vital to improved overall well-being:
 Increasing the number of Iowans who have visited the dentist in the last year
 Increasing the number of Iowans who feel their boss treats them like a partner in the
workplace
 Decreasing the number of Iowans who smoke
 Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables
 Increasing the number of Iowans who are learning or doing something interesting daily
“We wish Oregon the best in their journey to a healthier way of life,” said Jurgens. “The Healthiest
State Initiative looks forward to more collaboration and an exciting race to the top!”
The Healthiest State Initiative is a privately led, public effort that engages Iowans and their
communities throughout the state. It involves individuals, families, businesses, faith-based
organizations, not-for-profits and the public sector in a broad-based, community-focused effort.
###

Download Report