Sunday, March 18, 2012
Published: March 18, 2012
Public officials find it difficult to lead when personal lifestyle is involved, including choices about smoking, exercise and diet. Yet such prevention initiatives remain important levers for reducing disease. That's why we should be especially proud of Oklahoma's “CEO,” Gov. Mary Fallin, and her decision to prohibit tobacco use on state property. The CEO Roundtable on Cancer stands behind Fallin. Her action is an important step for improved health and a call for leadership nationwide to lower cancer rates.
How important? Government data on lung cancer place Oklahoma eighth nationwide in that form of cancer for men and fifth for women. This form of cancer is the highest cause of cancer-related death in Oklahoma. Fallin's action could also help Oklahoma understand that improved health comes from choices that stave off illness in the first place, whether that illness is cancer, obesity or diabetes.
Christopher Viehbacher, Paris, France
Dr. Martin J. Murphy, Jr., Durham, N.C.
Viehbacker is CEO of Sanofi and chairman of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.
Dr. Murphy is CEO of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.