CBCF BLACK HEALTH EMPOWERMENT TOUR HEADS TO ATLANTA

Congressman John Lewis, Radio Personality Jean Ross and Others Encourage Families to “Eat, Move and Test for Health”

WASHINGTON – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), in collaboration with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, will bring its Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP) tour to Atlanta on Saturday, June 30, 2007, as part of Black Health Magazine’s “Exploring Your Health in 2007” expo.

The community-focused event will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public. A continental breakfast will be provided.

BHEP is a national health initiative created and produced to educate African Americans about the relationship between obesity and chronic diseases. Its purpose is to bring civic leaders, health experts and community together to discuss practical strategies for reversing this public health crisis affecting adults and youth. The tour’s theme is “Eat, Move and Test for Health.”

The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta reports that 62 percent of Georgia adults are overweight or obese and 30 percent of low-income children between ages 2 and 5 are overweight or at risk of becoming so.

“Our African-American adults and children now face serious health problems such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease at rates that threaten our vitality and our survival as a community,” said U.S. Rep. John Lewis, the congressman from Georgia’s 5th congressional district. “The Black Health Empowerment Tour offers families a great opportunity to learn how to make proper nutrition, physical activity and routine health care commonplace – so they can increase their longevity and their ability to contribute to our society.”

Rep. Lewis is scheduled to speak during the event. WAOK-AM (1380) personality Jean Ross will serve as mistress of ceremonies. The interactive community health event consists of two components: a healthy living forum and a health and fitness expo. Medical, nutrition and fitness experts will share information and advice during the forum from 10 a.m. to noon. During the expo, participants will enjoy cooking and fitness demonstrations and obtain free health screenings from noon to 6 p.m.

Exhibitors will also provide information on topics ranging from diabetes and hypertension to stress reduction and weight management. AstraZeneca’s Asthma Action Zone will provide parents with educational information on asthma and offer children face painting, fun activities and fun times with mascot Pulmi. The SkyHawk Mascot is also scheduled to appear.

“Too many African-American men, women, and children are suffering from obesity-related diseases and health conditions,” said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., the foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “Many of the conditions are preventable if we take a more active role in watching our diets, engaging in physical activity, understanding our genetic history and getting periodic health screenings. We know that through the Black Health Empowerment Project we can have a positive impact on the health of individuals who participate in the activities.”

The BHEP initiative signals a partnership between the public and private sectors – a collaboration that is crucial to fighting the obesity epidemic. BlackWomensHealth.com is a program partner and WVEE-FM (V-103) is the event media partner. Community partners include the American Stroke Association, the American Kidney Fund and Check It Today, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing prostate cancer awareness among men and their families.

“We must all be committed to improving the health of our communities and the BHEP initiative is a perfect example of that commitment,” said Rich Buckley, vice president of government affairs for AstraZeneca. “AstraZeneca is dedicated to providing individuals with the information and tools that will empower families to take charge of their health.”

LaVarne A. Burton, chief executive officer of the American Kidney Fund, said: “As the nation’s No. 1 source of direct financial assistance to kidney patients, we are excited to be a community partner of the Black Health Empowerment Project Tour. African Americans are nearly four times more likely to develop kidney failure, and here in Atlanta we are working to reduce this number by educating those who are at risk and providing them kidney health screenings and follow up.”

Atlanta is the 2007 BHEP tour’s third stop; the first was in Brooklyn, N.Y., in February and the second was in Detroit on June 16. The obesity awareness tour is also set to visit St. Thomas, V.I., on July 21, as well as Dallas and New Orleans later this year. To pre-register for an upcoming BHEP event, call (888) 353-BHEP (2437). Visit www.cbcfinc.org or www.bheptour.org for additional information about the Black Health Empowerment Project.