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Show PANC.IUTCII • PANCUTCHLAKE • HATCH • BKYCK • T u o n c • ANTIMONY • HKNRIKVILU; • CWNONYII.U: • ESCALANTK • BOLI.DI-U • DUCK CKKKK Thursday, January 4, 2007 • Issue # 93 UTAH NAMED 6TH HEALTHIEST STATE IN NEW REPORT Thanks to healthy babies, low cancer death rates and enviably low smoking rates, Utah remains in the spotlight for being one of the top ten healthiest states in the Nation. Utah ranks 6th this year in United Health Foundation's (UHF) 17th annual America's Health Rankings™ report. The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) reports the state has posted improvements in motor vehicle deaths, infectious diseases, immunization rates and infant mortality which are reflected in the report. The state dropped slightly this year from a 4th place ranking in 2005 due to an increase in the number of Utahns without health insurance coverage. There were also statistically insignificant increases in smoking and obesity. "All these health indicators are very fluid and change for every state year by year," said Cyndi Bemis, UDOH public information specialist. "A drop of two places isn't cause for alarm," she said. "Still, the UHF report is a valuable tool, a reminder of how far we've come and how far we need to go to help all Utahns get healthier." The report indicates Utah ranks in the top 10 in 9 of the 18 determinants The remaining two determinants are Violent Crime, for which Utah ranks 6th (up from 8th in 2005) and Children in Poverty, with a 7th place ranking (up from 16th in 2005). There are many factors at work in Utah's consistent top 10 ranking over the UHF report's 17-year history. "The rankings symbolize much of the valuable work done in public health," said Dr. David Sundwall, executive director, UDOH. "But public health recognizes the influence and contributions of the entire health care system," he said. "Utah is fortunate to have prominent community, family and environmental supports that lead to healthier behaviors, as well as a solid framework of medical care options that allow for life-saving and life-improving procedures." Utah, as with the rest of the nation, still has work to do in the area of child immunizations, obesity and health coverage for all Utahns. In 2006, only 74.1 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months were fully immunized, leaving one-fourth of those toddlers .unprotected and at risk of contracting and spreading preventable diseases. Regarding health insurance, the number of uninsured Utahns rose by 18 percent since 2005, and the number Partly Ihst of obese Utahns increased by ' . ... . 43«F 43 V 15* 10% inn 4 - - J Cloudy n«l lti« Omrnaiiuv four percent. Eftf±£*ii Despite these increases, Utah's 26<7G* 30*. Jan S *o* Showers 6th place ranking tells a story of a robust population with a strong SSSS8SE9HE 3 7 » F infrastructure and dedicated pubSunny 37VL3* , « Jan 6 lic health workers addressing a broad spectrum of health issues. Sun Mostly WEATHER ' 38V14* Jan ? 10% Sun,,, 10% Jail 9 Sunn, 10% Jan 10 S:irry & IMS .'1RV1T1 10V» • - ' • • — " — 2 6 # F 38 GET MONEY FOR SAVING MONEY: IDA Workshop Scheduled. What is an IDA? Individual Development Accounts or IDAs are special savings accounts that qualify for a Money Match. The savings you accumulate during the IDA program is matched 3 to 1. For ever one dollar you save; three dollars are added to your total account balance. IDA participants may use this savings towards the purchase of a house, or a small business, or for education (college or vocational) What are the benefits of an IDA to me? , The Match helps qualifying families or individuals establish the pattern of SAVING with the goal of purchasing a "productive asset"- something with a long term benefit like financial security, stability, or the opportunity for more income. How do I become an IDA Saver? It takes more than a cash match to become a homeowner, or to run a business or to become a successful student. IDA participants must complete an 8 hour personal finance training and asset building preparation workshop series. Get the skills you need for long range planning, household budgeting, credit repair and savvy consumer habits. Then let the savings begin! IDA Workshop Series Mondays and Tuesdays on January 15,16, 22, 23. 5:30pm-7:30pm Bryce Valley High School library, Tropic. What else is required to get the savings money match? Once you complete the IDA workshop series you must also 1. Commit to saving at least $ 15.00 monthly savings deposit or no more than $62.50 2. Save for a minimum of 12 months or maximum of 36 months 3. Participate in asset specific training (given during IDA workshop series) 4. Support others in peer support meetings 5. Keep in regular contact with IDA case manager. To find out if you are eligible call: SuzAnne Jorgensen- Utah State University Garfield County Extension Service, 435-676-1114. Marsha Holland- Garfield County Volunteer Center, 435-679-8987. Online- http://www.uidan.org/ Zions Bank will establish special IDA accounts. The Utah Individual Development Account Network (UIDAN), Utah State University Garfield County Extension Service and Garfield County Volunteer Center help to sponsor this Garfield County Savings Program. *F The difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught. H. L. Mencken <:'.-\y- '.:•'•'.IV 3 e - F BOXHOLDER ^^m^^ K # ) k * L *lj**t WES&fvQfa&P ^^^ * Muttimecia snapshot@scinternet.net Phone: PRE-SORT 435-676-2621 STANDARD Fax 435-836-2700 PAID po BOX 472 LOA, UTAH Loa Ulah 84747 ' PERMIT No. 5 THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER is owned and operated by Snapshot Multimedia and distributed weekly to all of Garfield County . Its purpose is to inform residents about local issues and events. Thank you. |