California 5 a Day Campaign Holds Public Policy Forum to Take Action to Reverse Latino Health Epidemic in the Inland Empire.

Community Leaders, Public Health Advocates and Elected Officials
  to Determine Local Solutions to Ensure Access to Fresh, Affordable
                         Fruits and Vegetables

      Event Kicks off Second Annual Latino Health Awareness Month


What:     In response to the health crisis facing Latinos in
          California, members of the California Latino 5 a Day
          Campaign in the Inland Empire will be joined by: Frances
          Vasquez, district representative for Senator Nell Soto's
          office in the 32nd District; Eric K. Fryman, health officer
          for the San Bernardino County of Public Health; Jeanne
          Silverstein, nutrition services director for the San
          Bernardino County of Public Health and Peggy Hazlett,
          representative from San Bernardino Mayor Judith Valles'
          office, among others, for "Voices for Change," a policy
          forum to determine steps that can be implemented locally to
          promote healthy eating and provide access to fresh,
          affordable fruits and vegetables. The policy forum is being
          held as part of the Inland Empire's Latino Health Awareness
          Month commemoration.

Why:      Latinos make up 32 percent of California's population. Yet,
          43 percent of adults are classified as overweight, and 25
          percent are obese. Excess weight contributes to heart
          disease, cancer, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, which are
          among the top five causes of death among Latinos in
          California. Research shows that eating 5 or more servings of
          fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of serious
          health problems and chronic diseases, including heart
          disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and
          certain types of cancer. However, fresh fruits and
          vegetables are often more expensive and harder to find in
          rural communities and in the inner cities making it
          difficult for California's Latino community to get the
          recommended 5 to 9 servings per day.

Who:      Frances Vasquez, district representative for Senator Nell
            Soto's office in the 32nd District
          Eric K. Fryman, M.D., M.P.H., B.A., health officer for the
            San Bernardino County of Public Health
          Jeanne Silverstein, M.P.H., R.D., nutrition services
            director for the San Bernardino County of Public Health
          Peggy Hazlett, representative from San Bernardino Mayor
            Judith Valles' office
          Rodney Taylor, representative from the Riverside Unified
            School District
          Kerri Santoro, manager of the Victorville Farmers' Market
          Leticia Salazar of California 5 a Day

When:     Wednesday, June 30, 2004
          (policy makers speaking from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Where:    Radisson Hotel
          295 North E. Street
          San Bernardino, CA

Visuals:  Community leaders, elected officials, public health
            advocates discussing health epidemic and access issues
          Interviews with community organizations that serve the
            Latino community

To attend:  To attend the event or for more information, please
            contact Leticia Salazar at 909-387-6851.