HealthyFresno Takes On Chronic Health Problems
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tim Rosales
October 3, 2006 916.475.4900
HealthyFresno Takes On Chronic Health Problems
Facing Fresno County Children
High rates of Asthma and other chronic conditions in Fresno County spell trouble for children’s health, study shows
Fresno, Calif. (October 3, 2006) – Fresno County children and youth face serious health problems from asthma and other chronic conditions. To help fight preventable diseases in children, America’s pharmaceutical research companies and local patient groups today teamed-up to kick off a new program to educate the Fresno community on the health problems Fresno’s youth face. The initiative is part of HealthyFresno – a community-wide health, wellness, and disease prevention program that encourages Fresno County residents to make better nutrition and fitness decisions and to identify health issues and risk factors at an early stage.HealthyFresno’s youth health initiative will help children and parents combat growing health challenges such as asthma, obesity, and obesity-related conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, through greater awareness and education.
“Everyone in our community has a responsibility -- our schools, our social and religious institutions, our parents, and our government -- to support the young people of this community and help them lead healthier lives,” said Assemblyman Juan Arambula, who spoke at today’s kick off event. “It should be our top-priority, as a community, to teach our children how to make smart health decisions.”
In conjunction with today’s launch event, HealthyFresno is releasing a report evaluating the health of children and youth in the Fresno community based on previous studies and research. The report underlines many of the existing health disparities in the diverse Fresno population. According to the report:
- More than 30% of children in Fresno are overweight.[1]
- With the highest rates of diagnosed asthma among youth than any other county in the state of California, studies show that more than 20% of youth in the Fresno area suffer from the condition.[2]
- Latino teenagers in Fresno are nearly twice as likely to be overweight as other teenagers.[3] Hmong males ages 10-15 have a greater average systolic blood pressure than white or black males of the same age, putting them at greater risk for cardiovascular disease.[4]
- More than 37% of children reported having no “medical home,” regular place to visit a personal doctor or nurse.[5]
- Based on such data, the report concludes that Fresno children and youth could use assistance with preventing asthma, obesity and related conditions, and improving good health behaviors and access to appropriate preventive care.
Additional research and interviews with local health care providers and community leaders suggest that a considerable opportunity exists to help improve the health of Fresno’s youngest residents through better nutrition, fitness, parental involvement and access to regular sources of preventive health care.
“It is critically important that young people receive the education and help they need to make healthy choices,” said Dr. Paul Antony, Chief Medical Officer, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). “Prevention is key to a lifetime of good health, particularly for this coming generation who faces higher rates of chronic disease unless we confront the problem now. America’s pharmaceutical research companies are proud to be a partner in raising preventive health awareness in the Fresno community and applaud the efforts already being made on behalf of the young people of this area.”
HealthyFresno encourages parents, teachers, pediatricians, and youth to visit www.HealthyFresno.org to learn about the tools and resources available to children and youth in the Fresno community, including information about disease and prevention, and health screening events in the area.
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