A study published in August 2014 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, energy drinks, sweet teas, and sports drinks would reduce obesity in adolescents more than other policies, such as exercise or an advertising ban, and would also generate significant revenue for additional obesity prevention activities. Read about the study here. ...
Read More
Resource bonds that bring more parks and green space to low-income, park poor communities can make a difference in the way Latinos live, work, and play, according to the City Project. In a June 2014 update from the City Project---a non-profit group that works towards equal justice, democracy, and livability by improving the conditions of the built environment---we are reminded that equitable distribution of park funds must continue and that policy should be written to include standards to ensure that this happens. At a Summer 2014 park bond hearing, according to a KCET news report, Robert Garcia Founding Direct and Counsel of the City Project said: "Fair distribution of funds is good policy." As stated in a City Project blog, California's Assembly Bill 31 (2008) is a ...
Read More
Latino families are more likely to live in areas without access to fresh, affordable foods, putting them at risk for diet-related diseases like diabetes. Food experts in Michigan are hoping that some recently acquired funds will help jump-start some solutions to food access issues in the state. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has awarded two grants to Michigan State University’s Center for Regional Food Systems to give more Michiganders access to healthy, sustainable, affordable food. The first grant focuses on expanding access to fresh food, advancing local food purchasing and supporting Michigan farmers. The project will build on existing work assisting schools, school districts and early childcare programs with farm-to-school initiatives, which connect students with local foods ...
Read MoreU.S. dietary quality has improved steadily over the past decade, but not among certain income and racial/ethnic groups, according to a new study. That's usually bad news for Latinos. But the study, led by Harvard School of Public Health, indicated that Mexican Americans actually had the best dietary quality due to dietary traditions and culture, Medical News Today reports. African Americans and those with lower income and less education had the worst dietary quality. Income-related differences in diet quality are likely associated with price (healthy foods generally cost more) and access (low-income people may have limited access to stores that sell healthy foods), according to the Harvard Gazette. “The overall improvement in diet quality is encouraging, but the widening ...
Read More
Residents of Santa Ana, CA will soon see more bike lanes and improved traffic signage thanks to $3 million in grant funds from the California Transportation Commission. According to a news article from the Orange County Register, the city applied for 11 grants of which it was awarded 6, to improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. With support from these funds, Santa Ana residents can expect to see: Bicycle boulevards on Bishop Street, Pacific Avenue and Shelton Street Bicycle lanes on Newhope Street, Civic Center Drive and Grand Avenue A Complete Streets Plan for five residential neighborhood corridors Three Safe Routes to School projects at Heninger, King and Washington elementary schools involving upgraded signs, traffic-signal modification and an educational ...
Read More
It's no secret that the mobile food movement is sweeping the nation. Not only are food trucks rolling through cities offering a different kind of dining experiences, mobile farmers' markets and grocery stores are increasingly working to bridge gaps in healthy food access. A group in Tulsa, Oklahoma is hoping to capitalize on this new mobile food scene, with the goal to bring healthy food to those who need it. The Food On The Move mobile food initiative, is a collaboration of food and health experts and community partners to mobilize good quality food into hard to reach economically challenged areas, helping combat hunger in Tulsa and Oklahoma in a new way. Recently, Food On The Move held their first even at Tulsa Community College. At the event, food trucks lined the lawn as ...
Read MoreHispanics comprised 21% of new HIV/AIDS infections each year in the United States. About 1 in 36 Hispanic men and 1 in 106 Hispanic women will be diagnosed with HIV at some point, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latin Post reports. That's why the CDC launched a new Spanish-language campaign, Podemos Detener el VIH Una Conversación a la Vez (We Can Stop HIV One Conversation at a Time). The campaign aims to provide knowledge and promote talking about HIV prevention to "increase HIV awareness, decrease stigma and shame that are too often associated with HIV, and play a part in stopping HIV in the Hispanic/Latino community." CDC offers great educational resources and materials. It also has a four-part, telenovela-style video series about how a ...
Read MoreCheck out this new infographic about how health can be a daily routine. The infographic, from our friends at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living and the CATCH program, ties together several tips to incorporate healthy changes into your life every day. Tips include things like: Walk or bike to school to get moving early. Encourage your kids to drink water throughout the day instead of sugary drinks. Playing catch or soccer with the family are easy ways to stay active after school and provide a great opportunity to talk with your kids about their day. See the full infographic ...
Read More
Parents and students from Central Elementary, a predominantly Latino school in San Diego, CA, celebrated accomplishing their goal of walking or jogging over 100 miles in less than a year, according to a Mid-City Community Action Network (CAN) blog. According to the blog, the school's 100 mile club has over 50 students, and this year eleven of its members and some of their parents logged in over 100 miles. One student, 7 year old Alvaro Perez and his mother Margarita, walked a total of 214 miles. The group, which is primarily parent led, was started in fall 2013 by parent Jos Ramos in collaboration with the Central Health and Wellness Council. With the support of the school's principal, Liz Duvall, the team applied for and received a start up acceleration grant from Michelle ...
Read More