By Daily Press staff
St. John’s Health Center’s Flora L. Thornton Community Education Program is set to counter obesity with education.
A forum dedicated to addressing the impact of obesity in the community will teach participants the dangers of obesity and ways to prevent it. The forum, which features Richard J. Jackson, M.D., M.P.H., and state public health officer at the California Department of Health Services Francine Ratner Kaufman, M.D., a nationally-known authority on diabetes and obesity, will be presided over by Assemblymember Fran Pavley 41st District, California Legislature. The program is presented in conjunction with St. John’s Health Center’s Flora L. Thornton Community Health Education Program.
The event, which will take place at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, is a forum for parents, teachers, medical professionals, and civic and community leaders to address growing concerns about the effect of obesity on both individuals and the community, and to discuss possible solutions to the crisis.
Both speakers are experts on the health problems related to obesity, according to officials. Dr. Jackson is currently providing leadership and oversight in addressing how obesity affects productivity in the workplace and Dr. Kaufman, Head of The Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, has authored a new book on the topic: “The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America — And What We Must Do to Stop it.” Kaufman is also the immediate past president of The American Diabetes Association.
In addition to addressing obesity’s effects on the workplace, schools and the community, the speakers will also discuss how individuals can achieve a healthier lifestyle, including increasing activities and choosing more nutritious food. Those attending the forum will be encouraged to take part in the discussion.
The St. John’s Health Center’s Flora L. Thornton Community Health Education Program provides free health forums and other education programs for the community.
It also offers programs entitled: Freedom from Smoking, Lose Weight for Good and Diabetes Management.
The “Challenging the Obesity Epidemic” forum will take place on Wednesday, June 8 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are mandatory. For more information or to make reservations, please call (310) 829-8453. Samohi students on to something big
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 3, 2005. Read the original PDF.