CBHEC Kicks off “Small Steps Big Rewards” Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2004
Small Steps Big Rewards Health Fair
Contact: Gisela Hernandez, Program Development Specialist
Coastal Bend Health Education Center
(361) 825-2859
http://cbhec.tamhsc.edu
Healthy Living: Small Steps Big Rewards Health Fair
The Coastal Bend Health Education Center (CBHEC), at The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, in collaboration with the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District (CNCPHD) will kick off the Healthy Living: Small Steps Big Rewards program with a Health Fair to promote a family-focused diabetes prevention effort on Sunday, August 8, 2004. The Health Fair, which is free to the public and will take place between religious services at the Solid Rock Worship Center, located at 3035 Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, will run between religious services from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Solid Rock Cafe. Event participants will have the opportunity to receive diabetes screening, cholesterol testing, body fat analysis, and blood pressure checks, and be able to participate in a light, fun fitness routine and receive nutritional education.
Overweight and obesity are key risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. The CNCPHD, in collaboration with CBHEC, received a grant to provide educational programs focusing on diabetes prevention. Healthy Living: Small Steps Big Rewards, a nationally initiated program, is the first multicultural diabetes prevention campaign to implement a family-focused approach to avert the growing diabetes epidemic.
Through this program, the Coastal Bend has the opportunity to empower people at high risk to make modest lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
By partnering with community groups, a large number of people will be reached where they live, work, and play. Consumer-friendly materials with practical advice in several languages, as well as community-based physical activity and nutritional education programs will be offered. New programs will be available at a variety of locations visited by medically underserved patients, including neighborhood clinics, community centers, libraries and churches.
Established in 1999, CBHEC is a part of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center. CBHEC delivers health education programs to 19 counties in the greater Coastal Bend region and is funded through the Texas Legislature and private support from area health care systems and industries. The center’s strategy is to work with the community, policymakers and health care professionals to improve the health of area citizens.
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach and research. Its five components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the School of Rural Public Health.
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NOTE TO MEDIA: Interviews will be available with Solid Rock Worship Center Pastor Steve Coronado; Dr. Michael J. Silvers, Director of Public Health for Nueces County-Corpus Christi Health Department; and Shannon Aguilar, program coordinator for the Community Nutrition Outreach Program at the Coastal Bend Health Education Center.