ST. LOUIS, MO – Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr. and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), in collaboration with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and General Mills, will host the Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP), a national obesity education and health promotion initiative designed to educate African Americans about the relationship between obesity and chronic health conditions.  The event will be held on October 28, 2006 from 9:30am to 4pm at Harris-Stowe State University to bring together civic leaders, health experts and members of the community to discuss this growing public health crisis affecting adults and youth alike.  The event is free and open to the public.

“Obesity is a huge problem in our community and our nation,” said Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Missouri).  “According to the CDC, it is now the most urgent public health issue that we face, and that’s especially true for African Americans.  Being overweight complicates all of the healthcare disparities that we already suffer from, including chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease.  I’m pleased to welcome this great event to St. Louis.”

The interactive community health event, moderated by Bonita Cornute of Fox 2 News, will include the Healthy Living Talk Show; cooking and fitness demonstrations; nutritious food tasting; health seminars; and fun activities for children. A host of exhibitors will provide free health screenings and vital information to attendees on topics ranging from diabetes and hypertension to stress reduction and weight management.

“Too many African American men, women and children are suffering from obesity-related diseases and health conditions,” said Dr. Elsie Scott, CBCF Interim President and CEO.  “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,” she added.

The BHEP initiative signals a partnership between the public and private sectors—a collaboration that is crucial to fighting the obesity epidemic. Included among the experts participating in the event will be Ms. Melba Moore, MS, Commissioner of Health, City of St. Louis Health Department; Dr. Michael T. Railey, chief medical officer, St. Louis County Health Department; Dr. Samuel Klein, director, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine; Ms. Kyria Virshelle, director, Meltdown Mondays Program: A Hip-Hop Health Initiative; Dr. Nana-Hawa Yayah, pediatric endocrinology fellow, St. Louis Children’s Hospital; Dr. Rovenia Brock, nutritionist and author of Dr. Ro’s Ten Secrets to Livin’ Healthy; and Mr. Lindsey Williams, celebrity chef and author of Neo Soul.
 

“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.”
St. Louis will be the final stop of the 2006 BHEP Tour, which has encouraged hundreds of African Americans in metropolitan and rural cities across the country to make healthy living an individual, family and community priority. 

For additional information about this BHEP event or to register call (866) 447-7103 or visit the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation web site at www.cbcfinc.org. Established in 1976, the Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy, research and educational institute focused on leadership education, public health, economic development and African globalism.