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Background
In the fall of 2005, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation implemented a new public health initiative called the Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP) in response to the escalating rates of overweight and obese African American adults, adolescents, and children in the United States. The BHEP program educates African Americans about obesity’s link to chronic health conditions and introduces strategies for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Each event is designed to accomplish the following objectives:

• Raise awareness of obesity and other chronic disease risk factors
  among African American adults and children

• Motivate African American adults and children to adopt healthy
  eating habits and to participate in regular physical activity

• Encourage African Americans to understand and use available
  healthcare options and community health resources

Presented as a free community health event in cities across the country, each BHEP features a Healthy Living Forum and Health & Fitness Expo to motivate participants to “Eat, Move and Test for Health.”

The CBC Foundation partners with members of the Congressional Black Caucus to host Black Health events in their districts. Since the official kick-off of BHEP, we have taken the health promotion tour to several communities across the country, including: Baltimore, MD; Philadelphia, PA; Miami, FL; Queens, NY; Albany, GA; Compton, CA; St. Thomas, VI; Rocky Mount, NC; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; and Brooklyn, NY.

During the 2006 BHEP Tour, we engaged more than 2,000 African American adults and children, and 160 health-related agencies and organizations in local events. Our success was attributable to strong partnerships with the offices of CBC Members, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and the support of program sponsors.

Click here to download program overview

Rationale
The most recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals alarming statistics: 80% of African American women and 67% of African American men are overweight. 52% of African American women and 31% of African American men are obese.¹ These rates are also climbing for children, particularly African American girls.

The health threat is simple: Excess body fat increases one’s likelihood of developing hypertension, Type II diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, respiratory illnesses, and many other chronic health conditions. The CBCF is compelled to inform African Americans of this modifiable risk factor and its link to degenerative diseases that are prevalent in communities of color.

1. National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2006. With Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans, Hyattsville, MD: 2006