Bill Haslam

A foundation closely aligned with Gov. Bill Haslam begins its message campaign to combat the preventable diseases that are crippling and killing Tennesseans.

The "Healthier Tennessee" campaign aims to inspire people to exercise more, eat better and smoke less. The Governor's Foundation for Health and Wellness has $12.7 million from public and private funds for the initiative, which will also promote programs in workplaces, churches and neighborhoods to help people change behaviors.

Over time, the goal is to lower the rates of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, emphysema, stroke and cancers related to tobacco use and obesity. Preventable diseases add up to about a $6 billion yearly tab in Tennessee, said Rick Johnson, president of the Governor's Foundation for Health and Wellness.

View more at our news partner's website tennessean.com.