Bartlesville Public Library and BPL Literacy Services are gearing up to help promote healthy living in Washington County — thanks to a grant that will fund education to area citizens on a wide range of health topics, ranging from heart health, exercise and nutrition to yoga and stress management.
Library Literacy Coordinator Karen Kerr-McGraw and Senior Librarian Nadine Hawke wrote the 4,000 grant, provided by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, that will help fund the effort.
“The money will be used to promote healthy living in the Washington County community by providing a series of free programming on health issues from September 2015 through August 2016,” Kerr-McGraw said.
According to the 2014 State of the State’s Health Report, the County Report Card for Washington County reports that heart disease was a leading cause of death in Washington County at 196.8 (rate per 100,000), receiving a grade of D.
“Just as alarming, cerebrovascular disease, or stroke, at 44.9 (rate per 100,000), also received a grade of D,” Kerr-McGraw said. “Also, this same report cites that on risk factors and behaviors that contributed to poor health, Washington County scored a grade of D for minimal vegetable consumption, at 24.8 percent, no physical activity, at 26.2 percent, and obesity, at 31.1 percent, and diabetes. Washington County failed at minimal fruit consumption, at 48.6 percent.”
Topics to be covered in the classes include heart health, obesity, nutrition, fitness and exercise. The classes will be hosted by Bartlesville Public Library and BPL Literacy Services. The general public is invited, as well as the tutors and learners from the BPL Literacy Services program.
Class schedule
Gale Mills from the OSU Extension Office kicked off the health program event earlier this month with the presentation, “Are You Getting Enough Exercise.”
All classes will be held at the Bartlesville Public Library in the upstairs meeting room and are free to citizens.
Upcoming classes scheduled are:
Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. — Balance your Act
Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. —Macro Nutrients, Fads vs. Fitness
Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. — Yoga, A sustainable Practice
Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m., presented by the Washington County Health Department — Brain Health: Let’s Be Smart About Health
Nov. 12 at noon, presented by Jane Phillips Medical Center — Blood Pressure Control
Nov. 19 at 1 p.m., presented by the OSU Extension Office — Eating Healthy for the Holidays
Dec. 1 at noon, presented by Jane Phillips Medical Center — Stress Management
Dec. 8 at noon, presented by Jane Phillips Medical Center — Eating for a Healthy Heart
Jan. 5, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., presented by the Washington County Health Department — Core Training/Injury Prevention: The Core of Everything
Jan. 7, 2016, at 10 a.m., presented by the OSU Extension Office — 1st Be Active Series (first in six-part series)
Jan. 21, 2016, at 10 a.m. — Be Active Series, No. 2
Jan. 28, 2016, at 10 a.m. — Be Active Series, No. 3
Feb. 4, 2016, at 10 a.m. — Be Active Series No. 4
Feb. 11, 2016, at 10 a.m. — Be Active Series, No. 5
Feb. 18, 2016, at 10 a.m. — Be Active Series, No. 6
March 1, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., presented by the Washington County Health Department — Tobacco Prevention/Cessation Information
May 3, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., presented by the Washington County Health Department — Strength Training: Getting Stronger to Live Longer
July 12, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., presented by the Washington County Health Department — Flexibility: Flexible Living
Sept. 13, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., presented by the Washington County Health Department — Physical Activity Benefits/Types: Why Should We Be More Active?
Nov. 1, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., presented by the Washington County Health Department — Stress Management: Take a Deep Breath
For more information about the classes, call 918-338-4179.