Media invited to learn about new communitywide HEAL Initiative

What: Media representatives are invited to a breakfast presentation to learn how they can support a new communitywide initiative to improve the health of the people of Laredo — Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL).

Who: The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) initiative is a collaboration of stakeholders from various organizations and agencies in Laredo. (See the list of stakeholders below the media advisory.) A number of the stakeholders will make presentations at the breakfast, including:
• Sister Maria Luisa Vera, R.S.M., chief executive officer of Mercy Ministries of Laredo;
• Carmen Román-Shriver, Ph.D., RD, LD, director of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at the UT Health Science Center’s Regional Campus in Laredo; and
• Steven Lopez, M.P.P., M.P.H., a fellow supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Hispanic-Serving Health Professions Schools, who has been working to spark the initiative through the UT Health Science Center’s Regional Campus with community stakeholders.

When: Presentations will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 21.

Where: Room 2.102 of the Academic Building of the UT Health Science Center’s Regional Campus in Laredo, 1937 E. Bustamante St.

Visuals: A 5-pound fat model; a plate showing proper portions of fruits, vegetables and meats; test tubes showing the amount of sugar in beverages; a food guide pyramid

Details: Media representatives will learn about the new HEAL initiative, why it was created, what its goals are and how it will be implemented to address the chronic health issues in Laredo. A study by the Health Science Center’s Institute for Health Promotion Research shows that while Texas has one of the highest rates of obesity in the country, the state’s border region is facing some of the worst health issues in the state. The aim of the HEAL initiative is to educate the Laredo community about healthy eating practices and to organize opportunities for exercise that will have life-changing effects on the community.



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