Perea to Serve on State Legislative Task Force on Diabetes and Obesity
08/20/2007
Fresno, CA (August 20, 2007) Council President Henry T. Perea has been appointed to the California Legislative Task Force on Diabetes and Obesity and will attend its first meeting in Sacramento on Wednesday, August 22, 2007. He will serve as one of two public members on the committee comprised of five state senators, five assembly members and several health care experts. The task force was established through the adoption of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 114, which was signed Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.
Task force members will study the factors contributing to the high rates of diabetes and obesity in Latinos, African-Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders and Native Americans, and they expect to release a report at the end of the year that will contain recommendations on ways to reduce the incidence of these debilitating conditions.
Perea believes his involvement on the task force is critical. “Unfortunately, the Central Valley is at the epicenter of this terrible epidemic and I intend on using this opportunity to share the Valley perspective,” Perea said.
Studies show that the incidence of diabetes is on the rise statewide. Of great concern to the medical community, type 2 diabetes is being found in children for the first time and at increasing rates. This rise is attributed to the increase in childhood obesity and the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of children. According to the Great Valley Center, 37% of children in the San Joaquin Valley are obese. Obesity among children 6-11 years old has nearly quadrupled nationaly since the 1970’s and is associated with a long list of health and lifestyle issues from high blood pressure and orthopedic problems to increases in school absences. The rates in Fresno, Merced and Kings counties are the highest statewide.
When: Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Where: California State Capitol Room 437, Sacramento