Critical Health Information: “Heads Up” addresses the critical role played by psychological components (behavior and emotions) in overall health and wellness. The project is a response to a challenge by the US Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) to market health education in creative ways, and focuses on the disorders that contribute most to the looming health care crisis in this country. According to the CDC, chronic illnesses with strong behavioral and emotional components (i.e. heart disease, cancer, and diabetes) will account for two-thirds of all deaths this year, with millions more new cases diagnosed annually. In addition to the established role of diet and exercise, research clearly shows that psychological components, such as depression and stress, are important factors in the incidence and severity of chronic illnesses. For example, we know that unchecked stress is implicated in the development of numerous diseases, and utilization of basic stress management techniques can have long-term beneficial health results. Research also tells us that individuals with chronic illness, not surprisingly, are more vulnerable to the development of depression. The appropriate diagnosis and treatment of depression in patients with illnesses such as heart disease and cancer can lead to improved medical status, reduced pain and disability, increased cooperation with treatment recommendations, and, in some cases, better survival outcomes. Thus, raising community awareness of the behavioral and emotional factors in health can help individuals choose healthier lifestyles, seek effective treatment and reduce inappropriate utilization of limited health resources.

Appealing Public Art: “Heads Up Kentucky” is an effort to engage the public in discovery of this information through accessible public art. The project commissioned regional professional artists, whose 41 designs were selected through a juried competition, to create art from a basic fiberglass head that is approximately three-feet tall. These artistic heads are mounted atop a HeadStand, creating an eye-catching and impressive piece over six and half feet in height.  Attached to the Head Stands will be information on a variety of health topics, written in simple language. The topics include: psychological aspects of obesity and weight control; psychological components in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases (multiple sub-topics); stress and stress management; psychological benefits of exercise; the role of sleep in overall health; health benefits of forgiveness, etc. By pairing health education with art, the project hopes to: reach a broad segment of the population; garner significant media attention to generate discussion within the community about psychological components of health; and, enrich the community through the addition of professional art to the daily lives of Louisville’s citizens.

Locations:  After a three week exhibit at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, the Heads will move to their summer locations across the city:  Kentucky Center for the Arts, 700 block of West Main Street, Waterfront Park, Portland Family Health Clinic, Park DuValle Health Center, Jefferson Mall and The Summit Louisville.  Following a break for clean up and repair, a number of the Heasd returned to public viewing at: The Kentucky Center, Norton Hospital Downtown, St. mary & Elizabeth Hospital and The Jefferson County Medical Society.

School-Based Programming: The second component of the project is to bring the public education information into the schools. "Heads Up for Kids:  Secrets of the Mind-Body Connection" will help children understand how behavior and emotions are connected to overall health.  KPAF is partnering with the Health Promotion Schools of Excellence program to design a demonstration project to bring the information to students in grades 2-3. Interactive, experiential learning will stimulate students’ interest, while creative expression activitities will serve as another way to engage students with the subject material.  Psychologists will participate with visits to the schools.

Helping Kids in Need: The Foundation will use the auction proceeds to continue its educational mission by developing a mobile psychological “Coping for Kids Cart”  to help medically ill children at Kosair Children’s Hospital and the pediatric unit of Frazier Rehabilitation Hospital. These added resources will help children and their families learn to adjust to often traumatizing medical conditions and procedures, and teach coping behaviors that result in decreased reliance on pain medication and improved cooperation with treatment regimens.

Extended Community Benefits: “Heads Up Kentucky” also helps to make our community a better place to live in other ways. The artwork will be auctioned to the public on Feb. 17, 2006, at a Gala event at Kentucky Center for the Arts, with the proceeds to be split between the KPA Foundation and a consortium of organizations providing children's education in the  visual arts:  Louisville Visual Art Association, The Kentucky Center ArtsReach program and Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.