Governor wants Oklahoma to be healthiest state in nation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Governor Brad Henry says he wants Oklahoma to be the healthiest state in the nation.<br/><br/>Henry shared his plans Thursday at a health conference at the state Capitol to start

Friday, December 9th 2005, 6:17 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Governor Brad Henry says he wants Oklahoma to be the healthiest state in the nation.

Henry shared his plans Thursday at a health conference at the state Capitol to start a fitness program that will help state employees get in shape.

The initiative is called the OK Health Mentoring program and will begin January 1st.

It will give all active state employees access to 12 months of personalized wellness mentoring and coaching.

The program will also offer fitness center discounts and a free exam and lab work through the employee's primary care physician.

State Secretary of Health Terry Cline says the program is needed because Oklahomans usually die two-and-a-half years earlier than their national counterparts because of health problems.

More than 5,000 state employees have already inquired about enrolling in OK Health.