Panel tasked with improving health and well-being for Tennesseans
(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Sabi Kumar, MD (R-Springfield) 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 use 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. In 2015, the impact of chronic diseases cost Tennesseans more than 5 billion dollars when factoring in direct medical care, lost productivity, and premature death.
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 health and overall quality of life.
“As a doctor, I look forward to sharing my experience with my colleagues who have chosen to participate in this newly-formed Wellness Caucus so that we can better understand some of the adverse health and wellness issues that the citizens in our communities face,” said Representative Kumar. “Together, I know we will create innovative solutions to address some of these problems which will improve Tennessee’s health trends in 2018 and in future years.”
For more information about the Governor’s Foundation for Health & Wellness, please visit http://healthierTN.com.
Sabi Kumar, MD serves as a member of the House Education Instruction and Programs Committee, as well as the House Health Committee & Subcommittee. He lives in Springfield and represents House District 66, which includes Robertson County. Kumar can be contacted by email at Rep.Sabi.Kumar@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-2860.
