In an opinion piece published yesterday in the StarTribune, Blue Cross and Blue Shield CEO Mark W. Banks, M.D., summarized the results of a study by his organization and the Minnesota Department of Health on the costs of treating obesity in the state. I discussed that study in a February 4 post.

Here are some key excerpts from Dr. Banks’ essay:

The Minnesota report states that healthier eating — combined with 30 minutes of physical activity a day — can significantly reduce some of the most costly illnesses to treat. The Minnesota Department of Health estimates that a more physically active Minnesota population could lead to a 30 percent reduction in heart disease, strokes, colon cancer, and osteoporosis; and 18 percent fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

However, the solution is not simply an issue of individual willpower. Realistically, if Minnesota truly wants better outcomes, we need to create a “state of health.”

What would happen if we created environments across Minnesota that encouraged more walking and less driving? What if it was as easy to find fresh fruit on our lunch breaks as it is to get a double cheeseburger to go? And how much more likely would we be to get moving if physical activity was something that blended naturally into our daily routines, instead of being a task reserved just for the gym? The changes would be dramatic.

Kudos to Dr. Banks, Blue Cross, and the Minnesota Department of Health for pushing hard on these issues.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am and is filed under Biking/Walking, Health, Minnesota.