Make a Healthier Joplin
Tobias Teeter
Bentonville X University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas Division of Economic Development
Our community is facing a health crisis. Joplin has the dubious distinction of “least healthy community” in Missouri. Compared to both state and national averages, Joplin has more obesity, heart disease, diabetes, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and mental health issues.
Our unhealthy workforce is a competitive disadvantage for Joplin businesses. Insurance premiums are higher, productivity is lower, and an unhealthy Joplin makes it harder to attract and maintain talent as young professionals pour into communities that value health, wellness, and active lifestyles.
This is a call-to-action. The JACC Community Health & Wellness work group is collaborating with One Joplin to educate and activate the Joplin business community into a coordinated effort to make Joplin healthier in a significant, sustainable way. You can join this work group at https://joplincc.com/workgroups. Also, we encourage employers to establish a workplace wellness program that encourages physical activity and offers better nutritional options, stop-smoking resources, and mental health education. The Work@Health Certification Program, discussed in the current Chamber Newsletter, provides employers with professional training, needs assessments, and the sharing of best practices.
Together, we can make a healthier Joplin.
Collaborative Leader | Nonprofit Organizational Management
5 年Interested in starting a worksite or neighborhood walking group? Shoot me an email. One Joplin can help get you started. [email protected].
Assistant City Manager, Joplin, MO | People | Community | Stewardship | Certified Economic Development
5 年You’re welcome!??
Retired
5 年Hi Marie. Great picture
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5 年As a Brit living in Joplin full time since 2014 and regular extended visits for a decade prior, it’s been striking how rapidly the town is changing in very positive ways. But access to affordable healthcare remains a huge barrier as outlined in Toby’s post. I’m serving on the Board of Missouri Health Care for All a non-partisan non-profit organization advocating for improved access to affordable healthcare for Missourians. We’ve met all our local lawmakers and there is a lot of support for our mission, for example to eliminate surprise medical bills. Every dollar stolen by a surprise medical bill is a dollar not spent with a local Joplin business.
Office Coordinator/Executive Assistant
5 年Good Post Toby! Nixon's Garage is trying to play a part in a Greener Joplin... We use the waste oil from oil changes to fuel our Waste Oil Burner in the Winter.? (RRR - reuse, reduce, recycle) God Bless, Marie Nixon