Sneegas will be keynote speaker at Women's Health Conference in Bloomfield

The Greene County Women's Health Conference will have a female speaker dedicated to health.

The conference is set for Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield, 500 Lincoln Drive.

Assistant Commissioner of the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Division of the State Health Department, Karla Sneegas, will be the keynote speaker during the lunch hour of the conference.

She has a master of public health degree from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor's degree in education from Western Kentucky University.

She has 20 years of experience in tobacco prevention and control, beginning with South Carolina's ASSIST program and state program. She is currently chair-elect of the National Tobacco Control Network, a member of the North American Quitline Consortium, a member of the Tobacco Free Louisiana Scientific Advisory Board and the National Latino Tobacco Control Network.

"As Assistant Commissioner, I am in charge of the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission, which is a statewide effort to reduce tobacco use," Sneegas said.

She explained that the commission allots a variety of grants for communities throughout Indiana, and Greene County is one of the grant recipients.

"The real work comes through our community levels. That is why I am excited to be a part of the Greene County Women's Health Conference," Sneegas explained.

Through community efforts, Sneegas said the state has seen a significant drop in smoking rates.

The 2010 date from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance (BRFS) showed a drop in the number of Indiana smokers for the second consecutive year, with a 21.2 percent smoking rate.

"While that is still high ... we are on a trend of smoking rates going down," she explained.

Sneegas will be discussing ways to quit smoking at the conference, as well as maintaining overall health.

She will also be discussing some challenges rural communities face. Sneegas was raised in southern Indiana, so she is familiar with these issues, she added.

"There are types of things that can be done despite challenges to improve all types of behavior," Sneegas added.

She will also be discussing current success stories of women who have improved their health.

The conference will also feature health screenings and a variety of break-out sessions focusing on women's spiritual, physical, relationship and emotional health.

"Of all the things I do, I love speaking to local community groups," Sneegas concluded.

There will be a $10 fee for materials and lunch provided by Middle Way House Food Works in Bloomington.