“Sugar Smarts” Bilingual Campaign in Boston against Sugary Drinks for Kids



The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) was ready to step up the fight to improve health in the face of rising obesity problems. So the BPHC developed a bilingual public health campaign against sugary drinks to help residents make healthier choices. The Issue of Sugary Drinks and Obesity Awareness/Learn: Obesity is a big problem. In 2011, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) tried to get ahead of the curve and target sugar reduction with a bilingual campaign called “Azucar Sabia (Sugar Smarts).” This campaign went up in communities around Boston, educating parents about how sugar-sweetened beverages can cause harm to their children through obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay. This campaign was well received but did not make a major impact on the community, health ...

Read More

#SaludTues Tweetchat 2/3/15: Family Dinner: Why it Matters & What to Make


INGRID hoffman dinner

Eating dinner as a family is linked to all sorts of benefits for both kids and adults: higher grades, better self-esteem, less depression and more. But between after-school activities and other time commitments, it can be hard to get everyone to sit down for a family meal, not to mention a healthy family meal. It only takes a few tweaks to make family dinners happen regularly that are both healthy AND delicious. Join us and our co-host celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffman as we tweet about weeknight family dinner and how to make it healthier at the next #SaludTues Tweetchat. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Family Dinner: Why it Matters & What to Make” DATE: Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 TIME: Noon CST (1:00 PM ET) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues Co-HOSTS: ...

Read More

Digital and Video Nutrition Education for Kids in Class and Out



School lunches and snacks are becoming more nutritious thanks to improved federal nutrition regulations—but this is only part of the school food solution. Nutrition education for kids is a critical component. Natasha Lance Rogoff, a seasoned children’s TV producer, who witnessed the childhood obesity epidemic as she raised her own kids, had an idea to use new technology to engage kids in learning about healthy living. Because of Rogoff, thousands of kids in Massachusetts, New York, and Florida have begun learning through KickinNutrition.TV, a digital platform for teachers to use to instruct students on healthy eating habits and exercise through videos, online gaming, and engagement designed for elementary- and middle-schoolers. The Need for Nutrition for ...

Read More

#SaludTues Tweetchat 1/27/15: How to Spark A Culture of Fitness & Fun in Communities


park

From brain breaks to 5Ks and bike trains—parents and leaders all across the country are discovering creative ways to help kids find fun ways to stay fit. But there’s still more to do, and you can help share what's working! Join us for a #SaludTues Tweetchat, “How to Spark A Culture of Fitness & Fun in Communities,” on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 at noon central (1 p.m. eastern) to discuss, innovative, practical solutions for inspiring healthy change. • WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “How to Spark A Culture of Fitness & Fun in Communities,” • DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 • TIME: Noon CST (1:00 PM ET) • WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues • HOST: @SaludAmerica • CO-HOSTS: @AL_Research & @SafeRoutesNow Be sure to use the hashtag #SaludTues to ...

Read More

Sweet Victory: Sugary Drink Tax Passes in Berkeley



How did smallish Berkeley, Calif., become the nation’s first city to pass a sugary drink tax in 2014, after many other cities had failed? People power! Local health advocates like Xavier Morales had long supported a tax on sugary drinks, believing the higher price would discourage consumption. Research studies indicate that such a decrease in consumption could potentially reduce obesity and diabetes rates. Because some children are heavily targeted by sugary drink and junk food advertisements, this issue was especially important to Berkeley’s 11% Latino community. In the end, it took passionate advocates, a well-organized campaign for a sugary drink tax, and national attention to eventually bring sweet victory for public health advocates in Berkeley. Why Sugary Drinks Are ...

Read More

#SaludTues Tweetchat 1/20/15: What All People NEED to Know about Cervical Cancer


cervical cancer

Some people have a higher risk for cervical cancer. Why does cervical cancer—which is highly curable with early detection and highly preventable through vaccines—pose such a threat? Let’s use #SaludTues to tweet strategies and resources to increase cervical cancer knowledge, prevention, and screening: WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “What All People NEED to Know about Cervical Cancer” DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 TIME: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: @CDC_Cancer (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), @livestrong, and @thenci (National Cancer Institute and oncologist Dr. Sarah Temkin) Be sure to use the hashtag #SaludTues to follow the conversation on Twitter/X and share your ...

Read More

#SaludTues Tweetchat 1/13/15: “Blood Donors: Get the Facts”


Doc and patient

Did you know we need more blood donors? For January's National Blood Donor Month, it’s time to get the facts about blood donors and learn how you can be a hero for someone in need, especially during winter, a typically down time for donations due to holidays, bad weather, and illness. Join us to get the truth about donating blood at the next #SaludTues Tweetchat. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Blood Donors: Get the Facts” DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 TIME: Noon CST (1:00 PM ET) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues CO-HOSTS: @SaludAmerica, @my1blood, @El_DoctorUriel Be sure to use the hashtag #SaludTues to follow the conversation on Twitter/X and share your stories and resources. #SaludTues is a Tweetchat on Twitter/X that focuses on a variety of ...

Read More

Chicago Schools Bring Daily P.E. (and Recess and in-Class Activity) to Students



Students at Chicago Public Schools weren’t getting enough physical activity and time spent in P.E., so district officials created a new department solely to improve the health and wellness of students. The department’s new chief health officer led the enactment of three new health policies and the rollout of a plan to bring at least 30 minutes of daily P.E. to all students. Soon students in grades K-8 will be getting a minimum of 150 minutes of P.E. a week, and all high school students will be required to take P.E. every semester. The Need for More Physical Education (P.E.) for Students Awareness: As the third-largest school district in the nation, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are responsible for ensuring a healthy learning environment for its student body (45% ...

Read More

Tweet with #SaludTues 12/9: Health Coverage—Issues + Solutions


health insurance coverage family

People need strong health care coverage, as many struggle with obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Let’s use #SaludTues to Tweet strategies and resources on how to increase health care coverage among Latinos and all people during a Tweetchat at 1 p.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014: WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Health Coverage: Issues + Solutions” DATE: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014 TIME: Noon-1 p.m. CT (1-2 p.m. ET) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (@HHSGov), Enroll America (@GetCoveredUS), and the Nation Council of La Raza (@NCLR) Be sure to use the hashtag #SaludTues to follow the conversation on Twitter/X and share your stories and resources. #SaludTues is a Tweetchat on ...

Read More