View special message MEMPHIS, Tenn. , Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Spanning more than three decades in leadership for the City of Memphis , Mayor Paul Young and former mayors Jim Strickland, A C Wharton and Willie Herenton have come together for the first time ever in support of a monumental community initiative to change the trajectory of health and wellness for the Mid-South.
Healthier 901, powered by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare , and the generous support of our sponsors Cigna Healthcare, Nike, Kroger, Action News 5 and the YMCA, is a bold plan to bring immediate and lasting change to our community by tackling obesity, a condition which puts people at higher risk for chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease, the leading causes of death in Desoto and Shelby counties. "On behalf of our healthcare system, I extend our deepest gratitude to our current and former mayors for their leadership and unwavering support of Healthier 901," said Methodist Le Bonheur President and CEO Michael Ugwueke , DHA, FACHE . "Together through Healthier 901, we are creating a foundation for a healthier, stronger and more active Mid-South for generations to come.
" "Creating better health outcomes for our residents has the power to significantly improve our city, from workforce benefits to healthcare costs, to community engagement and quality of life," said Memphis Mayor Paul Young . "I love walking, so I am excited to add my daily steps to the millions of steps already logged by my fe.