Reducing obesity is seen as the primary goal of these efforts, but part of combating obesity is engaging in more active lifestyles and thus the educational efforts Oklahoma is planning will address both identified risk factors for diabetes. Strategies outlined that will assist in achieving the objective of reduced obesity other than through an increase in the availability and effectiveness of education include working for better policy development and implementation that directly encourages more healthy choices and behaviors, a better integration of various local programs and resources available throughout the state, and ensuring that evidence-based practices are used in medicine. 4)

The State of the State report notes that infant mortality is higher in Oklahoma than in the rest of the country, with a lack of adequate prenatal care being a contributing factor in this issue. Healthy People 2020 addresses this issue in calling for a greater awareness of infant health issues and working to ensure access to care for all. Chronic kidney disease is another topic that is featured both in Oklahoma's State of the State health report and in the Healthy People 2020, with both sources noting the degree of complications that kidney disease can have and the serious other health problems it can lead to or exacerbate, an again Oklahoma suffers inordinately from this issue. Substance...

Diabetes is the county's most pressing health issue at the current time, as there has been a seventy-two percent increase in the number of diabetes cases in the past year in the county. Cleveland County has generally better health than most of the rest of the state, and the prevalence of diabetes is only slightly higher in the county currently than the rest of the state, but this increase is still alarming and is something that should be addressed. This health issue is most likely present in the county due to an increase in sedentary lifestyle as a variety of factors makes outdoor and active choices more difficult.
References

Healthy People 2020. (2011). Accessed 8 October 2011. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx

Oklahoma State of State Report. (2011). Accessed 8 October 2011. http://www.ok.gov/health/pub/boh/state/index.html

Oklahoma State Department of Health. (2011). Accessed 8 October 2011. http://www.ok.gov/health/