HHS Launches African American Obesity Initiative

Thursday April 7, 3:00 pm ET WASHINGTON, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced today the award of $1.2 million to improve efforts to reduce obesity among African Americans through a new partnership with national African American organizations. "The obesity epidemic is one of the major health challenges facing our nation, and African American communities are highly affected by this disease and its health consequences," Secretary Leavitt said. "The initiative we are announcing today will mobilize three of the nation's premier academic and civic organizations to join us in a new partnership to mount critical prevention efforts in the African American community." The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), Silver Spring, Md., will work with the National Urban League, New York, N.Y., and the National Council of Negro Women, Washington, D.C. Initiatives planned by these organizations include prevention, education, public awareness, and outreach activities intended to bring about a greater understanding of the impact of obesity on other conditions. Full Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050407/dcth038.html?.v=6