For immediate release

May 5, 2006

Contact: Jack Penchoff

859-244-8153

jpenchoff@csg.org

Healthy States Initiative releases State Official’s Guide to Wellness

What do state officials need to know about wellness and chronic diseases? The answer to that can be found in a new publication by the Healthy States Initiative — “State Official’s Guide to Wellness.”

Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, the immediate past president of The Council of State Governments, will release the guide Monday, May 8, 2006, during the CSG Spring National Committee and Task Force meetings at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

“Promoting wellness will help your state’s residents live longer, more productive and healthier lives as well as help your state’s fiscal health,” Minner said in a foreword to the guide. “Today, almost half of Americans suffer from chronic diseases. The costs to treat those conditions exceed $1 trillion, which impacts state Medicaid budgets, as well as state employee health benefits and other health and welfare costs.”

The guide provides a snapshot of the current state of health in America and gives a framework for understanding the major policy issues surrounding wellness. It also details how states have begun to use wellness initiatives to promote healthy behaviors.

By making lifestyle changes, people can dramatically cut their risks of developing such life-threatening diseases as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, as well as obesity. The guide details the human and economic impact of each disease, and explains risk factors. It also offers policymakers suggestions on how to bring private and public sectors together to promote healthy lifestyles.

The Healthy States Initiative is a partnership of The Council of State Governments, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL). For more information on the initiative and its products, go to www.healthystates.csg.org.

For more information about the guide, contact Ann Kelly, chief policy analyst for public health, at 859-244-8255 or akelly@csg.org.

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CSG is the premier multibranch organization forecasting policy trends for the community of states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis. CSG alerts state elected and appointed officials in all three branches of government to emerging social, economic, and political trends; offers innovative state policy responses to rapidly changing conditions; and advocates multistate problem-solving to maximize resources and competitiveness. Since 1933, CSG has promoted excellence in decision-making and leadership skills and championed state sovereignty.