KMA launching “Small STEPS, Big Impact” Campaign
LOUISVILLE In January, the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) and the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC) will launch their latest public health campaign, “Small STEPS, Big Impact,” which will be led throughout 2025 by KMA President Evelyn Montgomery Jones, MD. Funded in part by the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the two-year campaign will focus on screenings, tobacco use, exercise and nutrition, physician visits, and stress.
While the steps may be “small,” the task at hand is large: improving the overall health of Kentuckians through straightforward solutions and support. According to the 2023 America’s Health Rankings Report, Kentucky ranks 41st in the country in overall health, including persistent challenges in areas like smoking rates, obesity, and mental health.
But tackling so many issues at once can be daunting for patients.
“We have many patients in our state who are suffering from multiple comorbidities. They need to lose weight and quit smoking. They are overdue for lots of screenings they qualify for, but they are so stressed about other things in their life they can’t even think about that. It’s overwhelming,” said Jones. “We want to empower our patients to take control of their health little by little, which will add up to long-term success over time.”
Physicians, as leaders of the care team, will be walking beside their patients on the journey to better health. KMA has assembled a team of more than a dozen “Physician Ambassadors” who will serve as spokespersons for the campaign, alongside Dr. Jones and KMA President-Elect Jiapeng Huang, MD, who will lead the campaign in 2026, making this the first time two KMA presidents have combined their priorities into one.
“Our Physician Ambassadors have a passion for this project and for promoting healthier lifestyles,” said Jones. “They’re a talented and diverse group, both in their geographic loca-
tions across Kentucky and in their specialties, and we’re excited about the difference they will make through this campaign.”
On November 2, 2024, the Physician Ambassadors gathered for a session in Louisville for public speaking and media relations training. They even filmed public service announcements and digital ads on site, which will be utilized throughout the campaign.
In addition, Small STEPS, Big Impact will host a website with resources, distribute print and radio ads, and conduct multiple educational events.
The campaign will build on the success of KMA’s previous public health efforts, which have reached millions of Kentuckians over the last several years. Initiatives like Raise Your Guard, KY, Take It From Me, Breathe Better Kentucky, and Voices for Vaccination have centered on some of the state’s most pressing health issues and encouraged patients to talk to their physicians.
“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m looking forward to what we will be able to do through the Small STEPS, Big Impact campaign,” said Jones.
“A Chinese proverb famously says, ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’ We’re taking our first steps towards better health together, and I know the destination will be more than worth the journey.”