American society is seeing alarming increases in the numbers of chronic and primarily preventable health problems due to our poor health and exercise habits. Major problems such as obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes are all on the rise all over the country, with Minnesota being especially vulnerable. Here are some health statistics for Minnesota, particularly for the city of Rochester, and what it is doing to combat its health problems.

Obesity

Minnesota ranks number 31 in the nation as far as the “fattest” states. With 62 % of adults and 23% of children in Minnesota either overweight or clinically obese, there are growing efforts in Rochester to fight childhood obesity. ABC 6 NEWS and Rochester’s Kellogg Middle School joined the “Let’s Move” flash mob workout on May 3. Schools across the US participated in a dance/exercise routine choreographed by pop star Beyoncé to her single “Move Your Body”. Rochester’s initiative promotes healthier lifestyle choices for local children, so they become healthy adults.

Heart Disease

One in every four deaths in Minnesota in 2009 was caused by heart disease, according to the CDC. Heart disease and high blood pressure are also listed as the biggest causes of medical complications and death specifically in Rochester. Women, particularly, are at high risk, because they are frequently misdiagnosed or ignore their symptoms. Each year the Rochester community gathers for “Go Red for Women Day,” which tries to raise awareness that American women are more likely to die from heart disease than from any other cause.

Diabetes

Over the past decade, diabetes rates in Minnesota have increased by 50%, and it is now the sixth leading cause of death in Minnesota. 294,000 Minnesotans have diabetes, and 971,000 have a form of pre-diabetes, which costs taxpayers roughly $2.3 billion a year in this state alone. The need for research into cures and prevention strategies has become increasingly paramount. In a statewide attempt to help prevent type one diabetes, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in Rochester has raised over a quarter of a million dollars for the cause.

Cancer

Statistics show that approximately half of all Minnesotans will be diagnosed with a serious form of cancer at some point in their lifetime, and that about 25% of these diagnoses will result in death. Hence, the importance of community outreach and educational program in Rochester, such as, “Live well –Be well.” Coordinated by the Mayo Cancer Clinic, they visit local churches, participate in citywide and community health fairs, partner with local organizations on cancer education and awareness projects, and host seminars on cancer in the community.

Rochester is Minnesota’s third-largest city, with a population of nearly 107,000. It generally mirrors Minnesota’s statistics in terms of rates of major chronic problems such as heart disease and obesity, meaning that these issues need special attention and action from the local community. Most of these problems are preventable with proper diet and exercise. By participating in area programs focused on encouraging healthy living, Rochester can prosper.