Well being — and being well

Health is too important for us to leave it to the doctors. Or, at least, entirely to the doctors.

Imagine you were a smoker in 1965. Visits to your M.D. usually brought words of warning or admonishment … and you kept on smoking. But eventually something happened, Dr. Gary Goldbaum of the Snohomish Health District, recently observed. Over a 45-year-period, the U.S. adult smoking rate declined by 50 percent.

The motivation didn’t come just once a year at the doctor’s office; it came whenever you wanted to light up at a restaurant. Or on an airplane. Or inside a public building. Our society’s attitude toward tobacco shifted, and you began hearing from educators and employers, friends and loved ones: Cigarettes will kill you, please try to quit.

This example embodies the spirit and ambition that drive the Snohomish County Health Leadership Coalition. The group launched the “Gear Up &Go” youth activity program at most county elementary schools. It also sponsors a palliative care initiative to help seriously ill people take steps to ensure they’ll get the specific kinds of treatment they value and need.

Scott Forslund, executive with Premera Blue Cross and director of the coalition, says these projects support two goals: better long-term health for county residents and medical cost savings. The projects also are meant to inspire community-wide commitment to endowing Snohomish County with a reputation as a healthy place.

This effort depends on broad participation. The Health Leadership Coalition is unabashedly evangelical about this, and it is reflected in the makeup of the steering committee. Yes, there are folks from hospitals, health agencies and insurance companies. But the dozen or so members also come from the United Way, YMCA, Puget Sound Regional Council, Snohomish County Senior Services and Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Everett Public Schools are represented – and schools are the mainstay of the Gear Up &Go program. The faith community is represented – and churches perform vital outreach for the palliative care initiative. Forslund anticipates a day when work now led by the steering committee is embraced by a robust mix of businesses, civic groups, non-profits and public agencies.

We should consider health a cornerstone of prosperity. Troy McClelland of EASC says future employers will be drawn to a place with healthy, efficient workers – not to mention lower insurance premiums. Likewise, Scott Washburn of the YMCA, believes the coalition’s success will impress businesses that “this is a community that knows how to solve tough problems.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, March 29

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Schwab: Who was Langerhans? And when’s the ferry to his islets?

The Herald’s resident retired surgeon slices into the anatomy of the etymology of our anatomy.

Comment: Cervial cancer treatable; if you’re screened for it

A screening for cervical cancer can detect cancerous or precancerous cells and direct treatment.

Comment: Framers gave us Goldilocks Constitution; let’s use it

It was meant to be resilient, not perfect, but it has to be used as designed toward workable solutions.

Comment: GOP in Congress isn’t fighting crime; it’s arming it

Budget cuts to the FBI and ATF and other riders have made it easier for criminals to get firearms.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.