NALEO Educational Fund Receives Grant From Blue Cross of California to Fund the California Health Leadership Program on Obesity
Posted on: Tuesday, 11 April 2006, 12:00 CDT
LOS ANGELES, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund announced that it has received a $250,000 donation from Blue Cross of California, a subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. to support a 3-year educational program aimed at helping Latino leaders effect change in their communities to address the nation's growing obesity epidemic.
Healthcare professionals across the country are watching as the number of obese adults and children continues to grow, and in California the numbers are just as staggering. The state's central Valley, Sierras and Inland Empire as well as part of Los Angeles carry the highest rates of overweight and obese residents; 45 percent of California Latino adult residents age 18 and older are overweight, while 29 percent of California Latino adults are obese. Equally alarming is the rate of overweight children, one of every three Latino adolescents is overweight.
While the medical data suggests that change in diet and lifestyle is a critical element to improving obesity, the NALEO Educational Fund recognizes the opportunity for community leaders to make an impact by helping Latino leaders exchange ideas and develop policy to help improve the health of members of their community. "The contribution made by Blue Cross will help further NALEO's efforts by funding this innovative program that brings together Latino leaders from throughout the state of California for the next three years," said Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the NALEO Educational Fund. "The program is designed to enhance the governing skills of these leaders. If we provide them with the necessary skills, they are going to walk away with a greater understanding of how to make healthy changes in their community."
"We are pleased to see community leaders taking an active role to improve the health of residents in the state," said Dave Helwig, President and CEO for Blue Cross. "As healthcare professionals, we recognize the need to have community leaders who will develop programs to encourage an environment that can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. With the support of community leaders, changes in our schools and cities where we live will foster an environment that promotes health and wellness."
According to Vargas, the outcomes of the 3-year program will result in the identification of community initiatives, development of policy to support the initiatives and finally development of a communications campaign. "Obesity is a health risk impacting all our communities and we are encouraged by the commitment community leaders have made to actively participate in this program," added Vargas.
About the NALEO Educational Fund:
The NALEO Education Fund is the leading nonprofit organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.
About Blue Cross of California:
Blue Cross of California is one of the state's largest health insurers and together with its California affiliates, the company serves more than 7.6 million medical members. Headquartered in Southern California, Blue Cross of California offers a flexible product portfolio with a broad range of options for small, medium and large groups, as well as individual plans for people without access to group coverage, seniors and consumers who are eligible for state sponsored programs. Blue Cross of California is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association and can be found on the web at http://www.bluecrossca.com/ .
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
CONTACT: Erica Bernal of NALEO Educational Fund, +1-213-747-7606; LesliePorras of Blue Cross of California, +1-805-557-6745,leslie.porras@wellpoint.com
Web site: http://www.bluecrossca.com/
Source: PRNewswire
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