KOSCIUSKO — Did you know that Indiana ranks at the bottom of many important health metrics? Consider attending the Kosciusko County’s Community Conversation 4.0 For the Health of It event at 7:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in Winona Lake. These conversations are about “The Path to Hoosier Health” including the areas of tobacco, infant mortality, obesity and opioids. 

Indiana ranks 41st worst in the nation for the percentage of Hoosiers who smoke and every year approximately 11,100 Hoosiers die from a smoking-related illness (approximately 147 deaths in Kosciusko County each year are attributed to smoking and secondhand smoke). Smoking during recovery from opioid use can lead to a six times elevated risk of relapse when compared to non-smoking individuals in recovery. In 2015, 1,245 Hoosiers died due to a drug overdose. Approximately one out of three Hoosiers are considered obese and seven out of every 1,000 infants in Indiana die before their first birthday. 

Keynote speaker will be Dr. Kristina Box, the Indiana State Health Commissioner. Additional topic speakers include Kevin Moore, director, Division of Mental Health and Addiction for the State of Indiana; Chelsy Winters, senior director of Community Health, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis; and Katelin Rupp, M.A., director of Program Evaluation, Tobacco Prevention/Cessation Commission-Indiana State Department of Health.

The goal of the event is to start the community conversation on health and looking towards building a healthier Kosciusko County. Breakfast is provided and registration can be accessed here.