The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare, have announced that October 20th to 24th, 2025, is National Health Education Week. This initiative aims to highlight the crucial role of health education in preventing diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion, points out that while most healthcare dollars are used to treat preventable illnesses, only a small fraction goes toward prevention. The Health Department encourages community involvement and making healthy lifestyle choices to reduce disease risks.
Additional details and updates are available online at www.henrystarkhealth.com, as well as on their social media pages—Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—under Henry and Stark County Health Departments. Stay informed and prioritize your health with local resources.
RaeAnn Tucker, Health Department Director of Health Promotion notes, “Today, seven in 10 deaths in the US are related to preventable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Another striking fact is that 75 percent of our health care dollars are spent treating such diseases. However, only 3 percent of our health care dollars go toward prevention.”
Tucker adds, “That’s why health education is so vital to our communities’ future health. Education can make a difference. For example, more than half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making healthy choices such as not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, eating right, keeping active and getting recommended screening tests.”
