Kentucky Health Department Launches Bold Initiative to Help Residents “At Least Try” Being Healthier

FRANKFORT, KY — The Kentucky Department of Health unveiled a new “common-sense wellness campaign” this week, encouraging Kentuckians to make modest lifestyle changes “that probably won’t kill them immediately.”

The initiative, titled “Just Do Something, Y’all,” aims to tackle the state’s long-running health concerns by meeting citizens “where they’re at” — which, according to officials, is usually “in line at Dairy Queen.”

Dr. Marlene Tacket, state director of Wellness and Hopeful Statistics, said the strategies are designed for “realistic, achievable progress” among Kentuckians.

“We’re not out here asking folks to join a gym or eat vegetables,” Tacket explained. “We’re just recommending they take small steps — maybe brush any teeth they currently have, limit vaping to under eight hours a day, or only fry food in oil that’s been used less than five times.”

The campaign also suggests residents consider “walking for something other than chasing a loose dog,” scheduling annual checkups if possible, and replacing at least one daily soda with “whatever liquid comes out of their faucet, assuming it’s running.”

While critics argue the campaign sets the bar too low, Tacket disagreed:

“Look, Kentucky didn’t become the birthplace of the toothbrush for nothing. We’ve always been innovators in baseline hygiene. If it had been invented anywhere else, they would’ve called it a teethbrush — and that’s just unrealistic for our demographic.”

Other recommendations include taking smoke breaks outside hospitals, switching from Mountain Dew to diet Ale-8 at least twice a week, and “checking if a salad exists in your county once a month.”

Governor Andy Beshear praised the initiative, calling it a “down-to-earth step toward incremental vitality.”

"Kentuckians can do anything they set their mind to,” Beshear said. “Except maybe cardio. We’re not quite there yet, and that’s okay.”

The campaign’s first public workshop, titled “Healthy Living for People Who’d Rather Not,” is scheduled for April in Hazard, weather and grill availability permitting.