Ohio's First Lady Shares Goals For 2014

Ohio's First Lady Shares Goals For 2014

 COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio's first lady is encouraging Ohioans to make a fresh start with 2014.

In a rare one-on-one interview with NBC4, First Lady Karen Kasich said she is hoping to make a big difference for Ohioans when it comes to health issues.

Kasich opened up about several issues in her interview, including heart disease, which is a very personal issue.

"Basically, anybody in my family that has passed away, passed away from something to do with heart disease, so I'm passionate about that," she said.


In the new year, Kasich is encouraging Ohioans to exercise more and watch their fat intake.
"Also, visiting the physician, go to your doctor, learn your numbers and what you personally need to be doing to keep your heart healthy," she said.

The first lady has also been vocal about children's wellness. She recently helped launch a program for schools called Time for Ten.

"It helps give teachers a free and easy way to get a little bit more activity in the students' days, and it's available free. You just go to TimeForTen.org and you get a series of five 10-minute videos and all you need is the space around your desk to do these different exercises," she said.

Kasich and Gov. John Kasich have teenage twins, so they understand how tempted kids can be.
"2014 is going to be exciting because the governor and I are going to be launching a youth drug prevention program, and I'm looking forward to that," she said.  "It doesn't matter if you're from a wealthy community, a poor community, whatever community. The problem is there."

Karen just joined the Infant Mortality Task Force as well.

"Right now, almost eight out of every 1,000 babies dies before its first birthday, so we're trying to change that in Central Ohio," she said.

There is a lot on the table for Ohio's first lady, but she also took time to wish everyone a happy new year.

"Make it a healthy and safe one. Get moving," she said