Consequences and Costs of Unhealthy Lifestyles
Chronic Disease
The California Department of Public Health estimates that chronic disease accounts for 73% of deaths in California and that up to 80% of these could be prevented by healthier eating habits and more physical activity.[1]
[1] See Peck, Logan, Maizlish, and Van Court, “The Burden of Chronic Disease and Injury, California 2013,” California Department of Public Health.
Obesity and Diabetes
In 2010, 38% of California Children in grades 5, 7, and 9 where overweight or obese.[2] If current trends continue, half of all Hispanic children born in 2000 will develop will develop type-2 diabetes during their lifetimes.[3]
[2] Ibid.
[3] Narayan KM, Boyle JP, Thompson TJ, Sorensen SW, Williamson DF. “Lifetime risk for diabetes mellitus in the United States.” JAMA. 2003;290(14):1884-1890.
Lowered Achievement
People living in under-resourced communities are at greater risk for poor health, which in turn contributes to reduced workforce productivity, educational attainment, and quality of life.
Taking Up This Challenge in Under-Resourced Communities
Our approach rests on three inextricably connected pillars of wellness: improving health and financial literacy (knowledge); increased access to a wider variety of fresh and seasonal foods at low cost; and more efficient time management and reduced stress (bandwidth).
Building Personal Relationships to Grow Communities
We build collaborative relationships with our participants, and the leaders in their communities, to design curricula that foster respect, and ensure relevance and rigor.
Programs to Enhance the Health of Families and Vitalize Communities
Currently, our three complementary programs are: Healthy Lifestyles Coaching (HLC), Comunidad Mercado (CoMer), and Financial Wellness.