Immediate Release
April 8, 2009

Little Rock - At a news conference today in the Governor’s Conference Hall, a coalition of public health practitioners honored Governor Mike Beebe and the members of the 87th General Assembly who were instrumental in enacting important new healthcare legislation that will “Build the Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas.”

The recognition was part of the Arkansas Public Health Week celebration April 6-12 sponsored by the Arkansas Public Health Association, the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, the UAMS Regional Programs, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the ADH Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program.

Like many states across the country, Arkansas is struggling to balance economic and other development needs with the need to create healthy communities.  In Arkansas, obesity, unintentional injury, infant mortality and lack of physical fitness are a few of the many serious health issues that not only cost Arkansans money but impact their lifestyles and ability to live healthy lives, as well. 

The public health partnership chose Governor Beebe and members of the 87th General Assembly for this year’s Public Health Heroes because the accomplishments realized during the session have been nothing short of monumental in terms of their long-term significance to the quality of life and public health in the state. 

Those being honored as Public Health Heroes for 2009 included:

Governor Mike Beebe
Senator Bob Johnson
Senator Percy Malone
Senator John Paul Capps
Senator Tracy Steele
Senator Paul Miller
Senator Jimmy Jeffress
Senator Hank Wilkins
Senator Kim Hendren
Representative Robbie Wills
Representative Gregg Reep
Representative Robert Moore
Representative Keith Ingram
Representative Gene Shelby
Representative Bill Sample
Representative Steve Harrelson
Representative Bruce Maloch
Representative George Overbey
Representative Fred Allen
Representative Barry Hyde

Dr. Paul Halverson, ADH, Director and State Health Officer, said, “Building a healthy Arkansas requires changes in how we protect and promote health in our state, and it’s critical that we have a strong public health system.  We have to ensure that all our citizens have access to affordable, high-quality, comprehensive health services and protect them from communicable disease outbreaks and educate how to prevent chronic disease.  A healthier Arkansas is a more prosperous Arkansas.  It is fitting during Arkansas Public Health Week to salute Governor Beebe and the 87th General Assembly for taking steps to make this a reality.”

Arlene Rose, President-elect of the Arkansas Public Health Association said, “The Arkansas Public Health Association is proud to be an active partner in this year’s Public Health Week observance.  During this session, the recipients of the Public Health Hero awards have helped to highlight the significant role that public health plays in keeping individuals and communities healthy.  We want to take this opportunity to thank them for what they have done to help us “build a foundation for a Healthy Arkansas.’”

Mark B. Mengel, MD, MPH, Vice-Chancellor for UAMS Regional Programs, Director, Arkansas AHEC Program said, “Your foresight, understanding, and action on the health care crisis confronting Arkansas will help us avoid severe problems in the next 20 years. You’ve really come through for the citizens of Arkansas, and we appreciate it. Congratulations.”

James M. Raczynski, PhD, Professor and Dean, UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health said  “Public health in Arkansas has had some shining moments as a result of legislative action. “ Raczynski continued, “We were first in the nation to enact statewide legislation to combat childhood obesity; on the leading edge in eliminating smoking from enclosed public spaces; and we have dedicated resources to developing future public health leaders through education.  We’ve made great progress, but we still have a long way to go. I applaud the special legislators honored today for not only continuing to focus on our state’s critical health needs, but importantly, for finding a way to provide much needed funding for so many of those needs.”

Dr. Carolyn Dresler, Branch Chief ADH Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, said, “We’re already seeing the positive impact of the new tobacco tax with significantly increased calls to the quit line, which means that more people are trying to quit. Over time we will see a decrease in chronic diseases such as heart attacks and cancer as a result of a decrease in smoking rates.  It is hard to overstate the importance of all of these Arkansans quitting, and the direct impact it will have on youth prevention—a huge number of young people will never pick up their first cigarette thanks to the tax increase.”

Joseph W. Thompson, MD, MPH, surgeon general for the state of Arkansas and director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, said “Arkansas health care reform that came out of our 87th General Assembly is a perfect example of good government in action.   Governor Beebe, President Pro Tem Johnson, Speaker of the House Wills, and members of the legislature listened to the evidence-based public health needs of our citizens and then raised-up legislation that is in the best interest of the people. Ten years from now action taken during this session will be considered the beginning of monumental advances in the health of our citizens.” 

For more information on Arkansas Public Health Week, visit our website at www.healthyarkansas.com.

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