The COVID-19 pandemic has put so many things into focus for me — how busy we have become, how important our local economy is to our daily lives, how much we need interaction with one another.
Likely none of these would have been given appropriate reflection and perspective without cause to slow down, a silver lining to a virus that has caused such pain to so many. But as I challenged myself to keep seeking those silver linings, to stay positive and find solutions to the problems this pandemic has created, I arrived at the same realization: There is a common thread among those problems — our overall community health.
Attaining or maintaining good physical health is, of course, one way we can combat illnesses like the coronavirus, but this pandemic has illustrated that to have a truly healthy community we must go beyond that. Having to social distance puts a spotlight on mental health, an issue that demands attention every day, but maybe more so now during a time when so many people struggle with being alone.
Social distancing has also underscored just how much our collective health affects our economy. When we are healthy, we are able to work, ready to learn and eager to engage in activities outside the home. A healthy community drives a healthy economy and educational achievement, increases life expectancy, and improves our happiness.
Simply put, it encourages us to be our best selves, so that together, we can accomplish more.
And the data show we can accomplish more. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, Pulaski County ranked 68th out of 120 counties in 2021 in overall health outcomes. Cancer, heart disease, diabetes and chronic lower respiratory diseases are leading causes of premature death (residents 75 and younger). Twenty-five (25) percent of our county’s population was considered in poor or fair health, with 39 percent of adults considered obese and 34 percent physically inactive. Pulaski Countians also reported experiencing an average of 5.3 mentally unhealthy days during a 30-day period.
Many of the figures for Pulaski County mirror state averages. And they tell me there is significant room for improvement in our community and across the state.
So where do we start? When I was elected mayor, I promised to light up Somerset — to celebrate our community’s arts, heritage and culture in ways that would show the world just how special Somerset is. But we can also harness those qualities to improve our collective mind, body and spirit.
We can become a Healthy Somerset, and in 2020 we launched our initiative to do so.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic made the community wellness conversation timely, our efforts to make Somerset a healthier place began soon after I was sworn into office. In July 2019, we received a $2 million Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Transportation Alternatives Program grant to improve connectivity and walkability in the city. Planning for the Connect Somerset project is well underway. It will include a wayfinding system that guides people on foot through the city, introducing them to our community’s history and outdoor art and encouraging them to move their bodies to improve their health.
During the same month, we received another state grant to build an outdoor, multi-use farmers’ market downtown, a project that will encourage healthy eating and buying locally sourced produce and goods. The Lake Cumberland Farmers Market is now open and thriving, bringing people together downtown to shop local and celebrate the health benefits of fresh food from local producers.
We have enhanced our city parks — most notably in 2020, Rocky Hollow Park — providing outdoor recreation opportunities and art for all residents to enjoy, which improves both physical and mental health.
And we support the use of outdoor art as a platform for self-expression and change. In addition to adding outdoor murals, we proudly sponsor the Watershed Arts Alliance Outdoor Arts in the Open initiative, highlights local artists and raises awareness about important topics. One recent installation focused on Mental Health Awareness Month, and banners created by local youth reflected why mental health matters and offered messages of hope. They hang throughout our downtown.
Going forward, we will challenge residents to do something daily to improve their health. When we launched Healthy Somerset, we kicked off the effort with a virtual race called the COVID Crushers Challenge, encouraging residents to walk, run or bike between 1.9 to 19 miles over 19 days. I was thrilled to see so many people posting on social media about their activity. More than 190 people registered to participate.
We’ve since hosted our first in-person 5K at Rocky Hollow and will soon begin offering yoga in the park. We will recognize community members who make living a healthy lifestyle a priority. And we’ll offer resources to help residents make healthier choices.
Having a healthy community is crucial to a thriving economy, and I want both of these for Somerset. We can be the healthiest community in Kentucky. It requires us to put one foot in front of the other, pushing ourselves to do one thing every day to enhance our lives.
Even the smallest actions provide positive outcomes. Take that first step with me. Let’s look back at this challenging time knowing we chose to better ourselves and our community.
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