Obesity Prevention: Diabetes
and Heart Disease:
The Highbridge Community
Life Center is partnered with Public School 73X: “The Bronx School of
Cultured Pearls” establishing a Health
and Wellness curriculum to promote and educate students and their
families about the importance of good nutrition and physical activity in
preventing diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
We also empower families by providing health awareness and nutrition
workshops for a healthier lifestyle.
This project is funded by the
American Heart Association and
Communities IMPACT Diabetes Center (Mount Sinai School of Medicine).
Advocacy
Bronx Smoke-Free
Partnership:
We raise public and policy makers’ awareness of the risk of
tobacco use and the toxic effects of secondhand smoke through the
distribution of credible, evidence-based information.
We advocate for policy changes to better protect citizens from
tobacco addiction and disease.
We will engage and partner with all Bronx communities and organizations in
tobacco control and provide diverse local residents and organizations with a
venue which to speak in one, amplified voice against the addictive and
deadly results of tobacco use and propaganda.
This initiative is funded by the
NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City.
Empowerment
The
Highbridge Community Life Center was honored in being selected by
The
New York Academy of Medicine to
present to various elected officials and health leaders our proposal for
obesity prevention at their annual symposium: “What Must New York Do Now to
Prevent Obesity?” We proposed: “Open Our Gyms though Joint Use Agreements”
to the broader community for exercise during winter season.
We strongly believe access to public resources can make a difference
in peoples’ lives.
Health Education,
Advocacy and Empowerment
A Community in Need of
Health Services and Resources
The Highbridge section
of the South Bronx is a low-income, distressed urban community bonding
together to make substantial improvements on many levels.
Moreover, Highbridge can also be fairly characterized as a “produce
desert,” being completely devoid of fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables.
“The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
found the Bronx ranks last-62nd out of 62 counties in New York
State-in health outcomes.”
Unfortunately, Highbridge is facing an obesity epidemic of alarming
proportions requiring immediate health intervention. As a result, our young
are at the highest risk of contracting illnesses such as diabetes and heart
disease as health records show:
Highbridge Health Ambassadors:
In the
spirit of empowering our youth to become
health leaders of tomorrow, Highbridge Health Program
will implement a leadership program designed to educate students on health
advocacy and ethical responsibility. Our vision is to have our residents
take the lead in health awareness, advocacy and disease prevention while
empowering others to do the same.
This program is in conjunction with the Heath Careers and Training
courses offered at our Adult Education facilities.
Contacts:
Juan Ramon Rios, J.D.
Jose Gonzalez
Project Coordinator for
a Healthy Highbridge
Media Consultant
Tel:
(718) 681-2222
United Parents of Highbridge
E-mail:
riosjr@highbridgelife.org
Tel: (646) 255-2084
E-mail:
fpsvideo@hotmail.com
Please visit us on Facebook:
Highbridge’s Healthy Heart Program
