Supporting community action to prevent childhood obesity
Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that focuses on systems, policies and environmental strategies to support healthy eating and active living, especially among children who are at highest risk for obesity. Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities selected 50 community partnerships across the country to help them increase opportunities for physical activity and improve access to affordable, healthy foods for children and families. This initiative is advancing RWJF's efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015.
Why The Chamizal Community
The
Chamizal was identified as a priority due to its urban make-up,
established neighborhoods, limited access to healthy and quality food,
and lack of green recreational space. Beginning in 2010, this historic El
Paso community will demonstrate how these challenges can be overcome by
leading through example.
Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for non-transmissible, chronic diseases. 2005 data indicated 57.4% of deaths in El Paso were attributed to cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer, and that approximately 19% of Texas children ages 10-17 are overweight.
We are working towards sustainable, positive outcomes by:
Advocating for investment in strong public policies and increased community engagement.
Promoting
environmental changes that increase physical activity among school-age
children and increase community awareness and availability of healthy
food choices.
Informing
policy makers and general public of the best strategies to combat and
prevent the consequences associated with childhood obesity.
Through
grant funding and technical support from the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Initiative, the Pan
American Health Organization, the Pan American Health and Education
Foundation and core community partners, are implementing this project in
the Chamizal neighborhood of El Paso, Texas with the vision to
recognize this community as a model by providing guidelines to local and
state government entities, policy and decision makers, and health
officials as effective strategies to prevent and control childhood and
youth obesity. The project has been granted funding through 2013.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change.
For more information contact:
Xochitl Gamboa, B.S., CHES
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (915) 845-5950
Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that focuses on systems, policies and environmental strategies to support healthy eating and active living, especially among children who are at highest risk for obesity. Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities selected 50 community partnerships across the country to help them increase opportunities for physical activity and improve access to affordable, healthy foods for children and families. This initiative is advancing RWJF's efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015.
The
Chamizal was identified as a priority due to its urban make-up,
established neighborhoods, limited access to healthy and quality food,
and lack of green recreational space. Beginning in 2010, this historic El
Paso community will demonstrate how these challenges can be overcome by
leading through example.
2012 TX-MX Immunization
