Kentucky Medical Association Launches ‘Small STEPS, Big IMPACT’ Public Health Campaign
Campaign Encourages Kentuckians to Take Small Steps to Better Health
Louisville, Ky. (January 13, 2024)— Kentucky ranks 41st in overall health in the country, with residents suffering from health issues like diabetes, cancer, asthma, and depression. The 2023 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report details that Kentucky ranks 49th in exercise, 49th in frequent physical distress, 47th in drug-related deaths, 46th in insufficient sleep, 46th in tobacco use, and 40th in obesity.
To combat these alarming statistics, the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) and its charitable arm, the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC), have launched a new, two-year public health campaign called “Small STEPS, Big IMPACT” that encourages Kentuckians to make small changes to daily habits that can add up to long-term improvements on their overall health, well-being and quality of life.
“At the Kentucky Medical Association, we know that improving your health can be intimidating and overwhelming. As physicians, and leaders of the care team, we’re here to help patients take small steps toward a healthier lifestyle,” said Dr. Evelyn Montgomery Jones, M.D., President of KMA. “Kentucky’s health statistics prove that we have a long journey ahead of us. We’re hopeful that through the ‘Small STEPS, Big IMPACT’ campaign we can provide patients with practical, actionable strategies and easy-access resources to help them improve their health.”
STEPS is an acronym for “Screenings, Tobacco use, Exercise & Nutrition, Physician Visits, and Stress.” The KMA, along with their member physicians, will focus on these five key areas emphasizing the importance of regular health screenings, eliminating tobacco use, prioritizing exercise and proper nutrition, scheduling routine physician visits, and managing stress.
The KMA and KFMC have also set up a campaign website, www.smallstepsky.org, that offers helpful tips and actionable strategies to promote healthy behaviors in each of these key areas. The campaign, which is made possible in part by a grant from the Kentucky Department for Public Health, will meet patients where they are through a variety of advertisements, earned media messages, resources, and education.
“Whether it’s taking a 20-minute walk every day, meeting with your doctor about mental health challenges, or ordering your chicken grilled instead of fried at a restaurant, Kentucky’s physicians stand ready to discuss simple steps that you can take to feel your best,” added Dr. Montgomery Jones. “A healthier Kentucky begins with one small, single step.”
For more information, please visit www.smallstepsky.org.
