Putnam County’s chronic disease prevention coalition kicked off National “Turquoise Takeover” and Lung Cancer Action Week, from May 8 through 14, at their second quarterly meeting of the year. On Turquoise Takeover days everyone is encouraged to wear turquoise, learn about lung health, and support the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE efforts. Lung cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Putnam County, in the U.S. and in fact, worldwide as well. Nearly 240,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. this year. Health department staff joined in the activities as well, wearing the color turquoise that symbolizes the atmosphere and our breath.

The Live Healthy Putnam coalition is made up of community-based organizations and county agencies all working to reduce the burden of chronic disease in the county. Participating organizations at the recent meeting, in addition to the American Lung Association (ALA), were the American Cancer Society, Center for a Tobacco Free Hudson Valley/ALA, Fidelis Care, Putnam’s Medical Reserve Corps, Nuvance Health, POW’R Against Tobacco/ALA, Westchester/Putnam Independent Living, and the Putnam County Youth Bureau, the Putnam County Office for Senior Resources and the Putnam County Department of Health.

To learn more about Turquoise Takeovers visit: www.lung.org/lung-force/about-lung-force/featured-campaigns/turquoise-takeover. For the upcoming Hudson Valley LUNG FORCE Walk on June 17, visit LUNGFORCE.org.