Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University will host the 2009 INShape Indiana Health Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Hulman Center in Terre Haute.

This year's theme, "Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Communities," showcases the strategies and resources available to improve the health of smaller communities. The event offers opportunities to network with those who have created successful local programs in their communities.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels launched INShape Indiana in 2005 to challenge Hoosiers to eat better, move more, and avoid tobacco.

Indiana State University, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Rural Health Association are joining forces as organizers of the fifth annual event. Activities begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.

Indiana State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D., will be on hand for opening activities.

"INShape Indiana has always been about improving the health of Hoosiers through efforts at the local community level," Monroe said. "This year's Summit will be a great opportunity for our public health champions on the local level to share their success stories and inspire others to take action."

ISU President Daniel J. Bradley, and Richard "Biff " Williams, dean of ISU's College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services will also take part in opening activities, encouraging participants to take advantage of the activities offered throughout the day.

ISU's role as co-host of the INShape Indiana Health Summit aligns with Williams' goal to make the university a leader in the state in healthy lifestyle initiatives.

"This is just one of many ways we are showing that we are engaged in these sorts of initiatives," Williams said. "We have hosted several events this year such as this one. And we are showing not just members of the community but people throughout the state that the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services at Indiana State University is here to stay."

Assistant director of the Indiana Rural Health Association, Tina Elliott, said because the goals of her agency are so closely aligned with the goals of INShape Indiana, she began efforts four years ago to bring the INShape Indiana Health Summit to Terre Haute and the ISU campus.

"Our mission is to enhance the health and well being of the rural population in Indiana through leadership, collaboration, research and advocacy," Elliott said. "We felt like it was necessary, just because of our own mission, to be involved with INShape Indiana."

Afternoon activities, which begin at 1 p.m., are free of charge to the public, and Gov. Daniels and Dr. Kenneth Cooper have been invited to attend.

Cooper, founder of The Cooper Aerobics Center and The Cooper Institute in Dallas, introduced the idea of aerobic fitness to the public in 1968.

He is recognized as the leader of the international physical fitness movement and is credited with motivating more people to exercise in pursuit of good health than any other person.

Presentations will focus on tobacco control and healthy eating. Additionally, participants will have an opportunity to learn about communities in which model health initiatives are underway. Physical activities are also scheduled to take place throughout the day.

Registration for participants is $30 and can be completed online at http://www.indstate.edu/inshape/registration.htm

Exhibitors and sponsors can find out more by visiting http://www.in.gov/inshape/

Contact: Linda Crossett, ISU Director of Community and Professional Programs, summit coordinator at 812-237-8479, or linda.crossett@indstate.edu

Media contact: Jennifer Dunlap, Indiana State Department of Health, at 317-233-7315, or jdunlap@isdh.IN.gov

Writer: Rachel Wedding McClelland, Indiana State University, assistant director of media relations, at 812-237-3790 or rachel.mcclelland@indstate.edu