Panel tasked with improving health and well-being for Tennesseans
(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga) today announced that he will serve on a new Wellness Caucus created by members of the Tennessee General Assembly and in collaboration with the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness.
The caucus is chaired by State Representative Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) and Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson). It consists of 37 members — including 28 Republicans — from both the House and Senate who will study and propose new solutions to important health and wellness issues in communities across the state.
While Nashville is considered a healthcare hub for our entire nation, Tennessee still remains one of the least healthy states in the country. Approximately one in four adults smoke, and one in five high school students uses tobacco. Additionally, 33 percent of the state’s population is classified as obese, and type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure are at near-epidemic levels in all regions of the state.
Caucus members will help shape future public policy so that Tennesseans impacted by some of these adverse health conditions are able to make lifestyle changes that will improve their overall health outcomes.
“While we have made considerable strides improving the well-being and quality of life of our residents in recent years, we have more work ahead of us in 2018,” said Chairman McCormick. “This caucus is a tremendous opportunity for my colleagues and I to learn more about some of the critical health and lifestyle issues that are impacting our residents and create innovative solutions in order to address them.”
For more information about the Governor’s Foundation for Health & Wellness, please visit http://healthierTN.com.
Gerald McCormick is the Chairman of the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee and serves on the House Business & Utilities Committee, House Finance, Ways & Means Committee, and House Rules Committee. He is also a member of the House Finance, Ways & Means Study Subcommittee. McCormick lives in Chattanooga and represents House District 26, which includes part of Hamilton County. He can be reached by email at Rep.Gerald.McCormick@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-2548.
