For immediate release
June 20, 2002

Baird appointed to President's Fitness Council

COLUMBUS - Governor Bob Taft today announced that Dr. J. Nick Baird, director of the Ohio Department of Health, has been appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Dr. Baird joined President George W. Bush in a Rose Garden ceremony today at the White House to launch the new HealthierUS initiative to help Americans live longer, better and healthier lives.

"Dr. Baird is doing a phenomenal job helping Ohioans to live healthier lives, and I'm pleased his great work is being recognized with this appointment," Taft said. "I believe Dr. Baird will be a valuable asset in the promotion of HealthierUS, which like Healthy Ohioans, aims to fight obesity and lack of physical activity, and strives to help the people of our nation adopt healthier lifestyles."

Governor Taft and the Ohio Department of Health initiated Healthy Ohioans in 2001 to increase public awareness of the importance of good nutrition, physical activity and the dangers of tobacco. Healthy Ohioans works to encourage programs supporting these objectives in schools and businesses through the Governor's Buckeye Best Healthy Schools program in partnership with the American Cancer Society - Ohio Division, and the Healthy Ohioans Business Council.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 2000 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, nearly 60 percent of Ohio adults are overweight, nearly 80 percent eat fewer than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and more than 30 percent do not participate in any kind of physical activity. Ohio also has the fifth highest number of adult smokers in the U.S. at 26.2 percent.

Physical inactivity may contribute to 35 percent of all cardiovascular disease deaths, about 24,000 deaths in Ohio. Obesity is thought to be responsible for an average of 17 percent of all cardiovascular deaths, about 7,400 deaths, according to the health department.

Dr. Baird was appointed health director on June 1, 1999. In his role as health director, Dr. Baird guides the agency in its mission to protect and improve the health of all Ohioans through partnerships with 139 local health departments and the members of the state' s medical and health communities. Prior to joining the department, Dr. Baird served for 13 years with OhioHealth, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. He was a private practice physician in obstetrics and gynecology for 27 years and is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

First Lady Laura Bush and U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson also participated in today's ceremony. Lynn Swann, a Hall of Fame receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was named chair of the President's Council.

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Contact: Mari-jean Siehl, Health Department, at (614) 644-8562; or

Joe Andrews, Governor's Office, at (614) 644-0957.