Web forum on obesity will provide citizens an opportunity to join the conversation

Olympia – Washington residents are invited to join legislators, experts and others in a web forum on obesity, a major contributor to chronic diseases and increasing health care costs. The three-day web dialogue, sponsored by the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, will run from July 23-25.

The dialogue will engage members of the public, legislators and stakeholders in a discussion of how to address the rise in obesity through our communities, schools and workplaces. It will include a series of discussion questions that participants can respond to online and guest experts who will weigh in on issues and respond to questions. Interested participants can log into the forum at: http://www.webdialogues.net/wahousehcw/obesity  

Rep. Eileen Cody (D-Seattle), Chair of the committee, says the web dialogue will allow more people to learn about the topic, share ideas, and help in creating policy for the 2008 legislative session.

"When we talk about health care and emerging issues, increasing obesity among children and adults ranks as a very serious crisis," said Cody. “Engaging people from all over the state, along with experts and legislators, can lead to some new ideas and frank discussion about a plan of action.”

Rep. Bill Hinkle (R-Cle Elum), ranking member of the committee, agreed that obesity is an issue that must be addressed.

"This web dialogue offers a new way for people to get involved in important health care discussions and have their voices heard," said Hinkle. “How we deal with obesity, as a state and as communities, needs to be one of those conversations. I’m looking forward to hearing different ideas and opinions.”

The House Higher Education Committee is also hosting a web dialogue the same days to identify ideas about how Washington can meet the goal of educating more students to higher levels. The higher education web dialogue address is: http://www.webdialogues.net/wahousehe/access

House members and staff are working with WestEd, a nonprofit organization that provides web-based dialogues to inform and engage citizens in public policy issues.

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Web Dialogue address: http://www.webdialogues.net/wahousehcw/obesity

More information about Web Dialogues: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/webdialogue.htm 

Rep. Eileen Cody, 34th Legislative District, 206.923.5463, cody.eileen@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Bill Hinkle, 13th Legislative District, 509.674.1984, hinkle.bill@leg.wa.gov

Staff Contacts:

Larry Clark, 360.786.7214, clark.larry@leg.wa.gov

Lisa Fenton, 360.786.7728 or fenton.lisa@leg.wa.gov