For Immediate Release ------- 9/15/2003 Printable Copy

Press Contact: John Sarno Phone: (212) 420-1308

NEW HAVEN, CT, September 15, 2003 – The American obesity epidemic has a high and distinctive profile. The media coverage is constant, and the lifestyles that create obesity remain our cultural norm. But in New Haven, they’re not sitting still for it.

The New Haven Family Alliance, Inc. (NHFA) and the WeWalk In New Haven (We WiN) coalition are beckoning inner-city residents – particularly African-Americans and Hispanics -- to their feet, and then out to trails, tracks, parks and malls. There, with trained supervision, they’ll begin to walk, regularly, for the myriad health benefits that walking can provide.

“Research clearly shows that individuals who engage in regular physical activity decrease their risk for obesity, and serious conditions that may ensue, like heart disease and diabetes.” said Sharon Bradford, Project Manager of the We WiN initiative. “Historically, communities of color haven’t engaged in organized walking programs. We hope to reverse that dynamic, and persuade people to become more physically active.”

Participants in We WiN physical fitness programs will receive intensive instruction in the use of pedometers provided by The Walker’s Warehouse. The pedometers will facilitate implementation of the “10,000 Step” program that enables users to track their everyday steps, and record their progress. The Walker’s Warehouse is the nation’s foremost authority for walking products and resources. Beginning with a Saturday, September 20 th kick-off meeting on the New Haven Green, the We WiN program will begin recruiting participants for various walking regimens that will utilize city parks (such as Golf Street Park), Regional Water Authority Trails, Vision Trail, state parks (West and East Rock parks), and the Farmington Canal Greenway, among other sites. During inclement weather, a variety of indoor facilities will be utilized, and for those unable to leave home, walking tapes with expert instruction will be available for purchase. Through a coalition member, We WiN will also be addressing the physical fitness of the New Haven disabled community.

For the first year of an anticipated 3-year program, a cadre of at least 16 student interns, health professionals and a community residents will be enlisted to provide technical assistance, fitness instruction and support for We WiN participants. Over the course of the first year, We WiN has built a coalition of more than 25 member organizations and individuals – including a number of “community walk leaders.” At least 30 percent of this membership consists of neighborhood residents. A number of key community organizations are already involved in partnering with the program, and funding for We WiN is being provided by the Connecticut Health Foundation.

“Programs like We WiN have already been successfully implemented in New York City, Buffalo, and other communities around the nation,” notes Mimi Zoladia, Project Health Coordinator. “We’re confident that our initiative will be a real boon in assessing and improving cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors in our participant population.”

Ongoing health assessments of participants will be conducted at community hospitals and clinics, mobile health centers and on-site venues. There, pre- and post-exercise program assessments of weight, blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol levels will be made. Depression screenings will also be conducted. These same health factors will also be measured while the participants are actively involved in their respective programs.

In addition to walking, other physical activities such as line dancing, salsa dancing and aerobics classes will be offered within the context of the

We WiN program. More information on all activities and registration, as well as various health-related forums and testimonials will be provided at the September 20 th Kick-Off on the New Haven Green.

Well over 2,000 families routinely participate in NHFA programs. Because of the scope of its services, it is capable of implementing community-driven health promotion activities that not only increase knowledge but also promote change in attitudes and behaviors that have a negative impact on the health of communities and individuals. It is particularly proud of its roles as coalition builders, as innovators and as partners with community residents, institutional stakeholders, funding sources and advocates. The NHFA, working within the context of various partnerships, has driven home the centrality of racial and ethnic health disparities to the overall well-being of children, families and communities.

“The mission of the New Haven Family Alliance is to improve the quality of life for families in New Haven,” stated Barbara Tinney, Executive Director of the NHFA.

For more information on the We WiN September 20 th Kick-Off event and other components of the We WiN program, please contact Sharon Bradford or Mimi Zoladia at (203) 786-5970. For more information on The Walker’s Warehouse, please call (888) 972-9255, or go to www.walkerswarehouse.com.