"Much is made of Oklahoma’s efforts to be a Top Ten state. It is a worthy and achievable goal and speaks to the impressive potential inherent in Oklahoma citizens. While we make great strides in infrastructure and business, we are unfortunately labeled as one of the ‘unhealthiest’ states in the nation. This distinction is tied to our annual health rankings which for decades have found us most frequently in the bottom tier. Currently, Oklahoma ranks 45th among the 50 states. Not our best, but not our worst, as we’ve ranked between 42 and 49 over the last 20 years. In 1990, Oklahoma ranked 32. That’s not top ten, but better than our current status.

Oklahoma is not destined to follow a pre-determined script as one of the unhealthy southern states. We are responsible for our future, and it is time to take action to make that future a healthier one for generations to come.

First, we must understand the factors that have the greatest impact on Oklahoma’s health. There are four modifiable behaviors linked to five chronic diseases making up 58% of Oklahoma deaths. Tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and excessive alcohol use are behaviors linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease.

These are not new. Rather, we have discussed these behaviors for years. And, in at least one case, we have seen progress. In 2011, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Oklahoma ranked 47th in adult tobacco use with more than 1 in 4 Oklahoma adults smoking. As of the 2022 BRFSS data, we have seen a 40% decrease in adult smoking and now rank 39th. That’s a significant improvement, albeit at a slow pace. Which is the challenge in public health. Immediate gratification is elusive, and instead we work on interventions today that will only pay off years down the road. We can and must improve Oklahoma’s health status. It will take time, but we must not give up and resign ourselves to an unhealthy fate. Collectively, we must take action!"

- Keith Reed | Commissioner of Health

A rotating workgroup meeting is held monthly, via Zoom, on the second Wednesday from 9am-10am.

2025 OK SHIP Workgroup Meetings Information:

• January 8 – Cardiovascular Disease Workgroup
• February 12 – Drivers of Health Workgroup
• March 12 – Mental Health & Substance Misuse Workgroup
• April 9 – Diabetes Workgroup
• May 14 – Cardiovascular Disease Workgroup
• June 11 – Drivers of Health Workgroup
• July 9 – Mental Health & Substance Misuse Workgroup
• August 13 – Diabetes Workgroup
• September 10 – Cardiovascular Workgroup
• October 8 – Drivers of Health Workgroup 
• November 12 – Mental Health & Substance Misuse Workgroup
• December 10 – Diabetes Workgroup

To join a SHIP workgroup meeting or to get more information, please fill out and submit this interest form.

For more information about the State Obesity Plan and associated workgroups, please visit the State Obesity Plan webpage.

Navigating programs and resources can sometimes require support or additional information which is why reaching out to a community health worker or similar peer advocate at your local county health department, community behavioral health clinic, tribal health center, or community health center is encouraged.

• Oklahoma SHIP 2023-2028 Definitions
• Oklahoma SHIP 2023-2028 Workgroup Partner Forms
• Oklahoma SHA and SHIP 2023-2028 Timelines
• SHIP Workplans
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2022 Data Results
• Developing a State Health Improvement Plan: Guidance and Resources
• Addressing Chronic Disease through Community Health Workers
• Oklahoma 2023 Health Rankings

In response to the release of the State Health Assessment in February of 2023, we would like to acknowledge partners across the state who have come forward with time and resources to offer comment, join together in conversation, provide direction, assist in the development of goals and strategies and to voice ongoing support in addressing priorities in this five-year plan toward health improvement as identified by Oklahomans. While this is not an exhaustive list, the Oklahoma State Department of Health would especially like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their support and involvement:

Cherokee Nation Public Health, David Gahn, MD, Indian Health Service (IHS), RDML Greggory Woitte, MD, FACOG, Oklahoma City County Health Department (OCCHD), Dominique Baradaran and Tre Williams, MSc, Oklahoma Public Health Association (OPHA), McKenzie Cowlbeck, MPH; DJ McMaughan, Ph.D., Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), Chronic Disease Services, Morgan Hamilton, MPH; Shelly Patterson, MPH; Jennifer Like, MA, RD/L, Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health (ODMHSAS), Carrie Daniels, MS; Heath Hayes; Young Onuorah; Nisha Wilson, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSUCHS), Mike Stout, Ph.D., OSDH, Community Analysis and Linkages, Fahad Khan, MPH; Lauran Larson, MPS; Joyce Thomas, MPH, CPH; Aley Cristelli, MHHSA, CHWC, OSDH, Community Health, Autumn M. Cooper, LPC-S, RPT-S, IEMH, THREAD Coordinator, OSDH, Community Health District 5, Debra Lynn, Administrative Program Officer; Melissa Simms, Community Organizer, RN, M.E’d, Ashley Ferguson, MHR - District 1, Maggie Jackson, MPH - District 2, Kelli Rader, MS, RN - District 3, James Thompson - District 4, Brandie Combs, MPH - District 5, Daryn Kirkpatrick, MPH - District 6, Tina Johnson - District 7, Chris Munn - District 8, Juli Montgomery, MPH - District 9, Jackie Kanak, MHA - District 10

OSDH, Community Health Services Regional Administrative Directors: OSDH, Injury Prevention Services, Kasi VanSandt; Tracy Wendling, Ph.D.; Brandi Woods - Littlejohn; Avy Doran-Reedus, MS, OSDH, Office of Tribal Liaison, John Morton; Stephen Weaver, MPA, Potts Family Foundation, Raising Resilient Oklahomans and Linda Manaugh, Public Health Institute of Oklahoma (PHIO), Adrienne Elder, MPH; Jill Hazeldine; Laura Ross, MSW, Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), Randy Curry, DPh.; Aimee Henderson, Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), Jessica Davis; Lance Thomas, Together Oklahoma, Healthy Oklahomans and Thriving Families Affinity Group members, Tribal partners through Tribal Consultation, Tulsa Health Department (THD), Bruce Dart, Ph.D.; Leslie Carroll, Ph.D.; Christina Seymour, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center (OUHSC), Neil Hann, MPH, CHES University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health (OUHCPH), Center for Public Health Practice, Gabrielle Westbrook, MPH, CHES, University of Tulsa (TU), Eric Wickel, Ph.D.

While this list is intended to serve as a complete and thorough list of partners and stakeholders, the list will continue to be maintained and edited throughout the life of the 2023-2028 OK SHIP:

America Walks, American Association of Retired Persons, American Heart Association, American Society for Civil Engineers, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, Avedis Foundation, Bicycle Corporation, Bike Oklahoma, City Governments, City Planners Association, Community Analysis and Linkages (CAL) Department, Community Coalitions, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Faith Based Organizations, Health Alliance for the Uninsured, Healthy Schools Oklahoma, Hunger Free Oklahoma, Indian Health Services (IHS), Indian Nations Council of Governments, Regional Transportation Plan Organizations, Latino Community Development Agency, Local Chambers, Mercy Hospital, MyHealth Access Network, National Association of City Transportation Officials, Norman Regional Health System, Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), OKDHS - Child Services department, Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development, Oklahoma Alliance of YMCAs, Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (OAHPERD), Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Oklahoma Child Food Security Coalition, Oklahoma City - County Health Department (OCCHD), Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality (OFMQ), Oklahoma Head Start Collaboration Office, Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), Oklahoma Hospital Association, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, Oklahoma Lactation Consultant Association (OKLCA), Oklahoma Municipal League, Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education (ONIE) Project, Oklahoma Partnership for Expanded Learning, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, Oklahoma Primary Care Association (OKPCA), Oklahoma School Nutrition Association, Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), Oklahoma State Medical Association, Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University Family Health and Nutrition Clinic, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OSU - OCES), Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners, Oklahoma Turning Point Council, OSU - Community Nutrition Education Programs (CNEP), OU Health, OU Health Science Center, OUHSC/Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative (OHAI), Partnership for Active Transportation, Pottawatomie Go, Potts Family Foundation, Rails to Trails, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Salvation Army, Smart Start, SoonerStart ,Southwest Oklahoma Regional, Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy Rural Health Center (SWOSU - RHC), The Indian Nations Council of Governments, The Institute for Quality Communities, Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), Tulsa County Health Department (THD), University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), University of Oklahoma (OU) - Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma (OU) - School of Community Health Sciences, University of Tulsa, YMCA of Greater Tulsa, YMCA of Greater OKC