African American 5 A Day Convenes Community Advocates and Policymakers to Answer African American Health Challenges

African American 5 A Day Campaign Brings Local Elected Officials, Public Health Experts and Community Leaders Together

Oakland, CA (January 16, 2006) – Alarmed by statistics that indicate African Americans disproportionately suffer the consequences of poor diet and a lack of physical activity, the California African American 5 Day Campaign is hosting an African American Health Awareness Forum on February 8, 2006.

Forum panel discussions will cover physical activity and proper nutrition, along with presentations by elected officials, public health experts and community leaders.

The forum will be held at First African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 530-37th St, Oakland, from 10am – 3pm.

The promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity is so important because these behaviors help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. As part of the California 5 A Day Campaign’s recognition of Black History Month, the African American Health Awareness Forum’s goal is to empower community residents of Alameda County to engage in critical discussion with policymakers and community leaders whereby identifying the health issues and challenges facing the community, in efforts to initiate short and long term solutions.

Recent data indicates 65% of African American adults in California are overweight or obese and on average consume only 3.2 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. In California, 22% of African Americans reported they did not participate in any leisure time physical activity in the past month.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN 5 A DAY CAMPAIGN:
The California African American 5 a Day Campaign empowers low-income African American adults and their families to eat the recommended levels of fruits and vegetables every day and to be physically active at least 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes for teens and children.

The Campaign, administered in part by the Public Health Institute and led by the California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families in cooperation with the National 5 A Day Program, is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Stamp Program. The USDA Food Stamp Program is an equal opportunity provider and employer helping limited income Californians buy more nutritious food for a healthier diet. If you need help buying food or for information about Food Stamps, please call 1-888-328-3483.

For more information about the California African American 5 a Day Campaign, please visit www.ca5aday.com.