|
E-mail this page to a friend!
Helping
Veterans Fight Obesity, Diabetes is Goal of New Effort by VA and HHS
Veterans
are more likely to have diabetes and needless suffering
 Feb.
27, 2006 - With obesity and deadly diabetes at significantly higher
levels among America's veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs and
Department of Health and Human Services today announced a coordinated
campaign to educate veterans and their families about ways to combat
these health issues.
| |
Related Stories |
|
| |
Guest Opinion
Veterans Divided Are Easily Conquered on VA Health
Care
By
Thomas L. Bock
National Commander, American Legion
Feb. 25, 2006 - Generations of Pvt. Ryans have laid
their lives on the line for America. They stormed the beaches on D-Day.
They marched on frostbitten feet across war-torn Korea. They waded
through swamp water in the Mekong Delta, rescued refugees from rooftops,
intercepted missiles, flew reconnaissance missions, swabbed decks and
removed tyrants from power. They may have earned a place in the Veterans
Day parade, but far too many are denied access to VA medical care.
Read more...
Read more
Health
& Medicine |
|
"Inactive
lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits can cause needless suffering for
America's veterans," said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of
Veterans Affairs. "Obesity and diabetes are major threats to the health
and lifestyles of our veterans, deserving a robust campaign to better
educate them on healthy habits."
Veterans
are more likely than the general population to have diabetes, one of the
major complications associated with being overweight. According to the
American Diabetes Association, 7 percent of the U.S. population has
diabetes, and the rate increases with age. Among veterans receiving VA
health care, who are on average older than the general population, the
rate is 20 percent.
Central to
our goal of controlling the cost of heath care is the promotion of
wellness, fitness and the prevention of chronic disease. We are working
to encourage Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle and to take
responsibility for making wise choices to improve their fitness and
health, said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt.
In a news
conference here today, Secretary Nicholson, HHS Secretary Leavitt,
Surgeon General Dr. Richard H. Carmona and VA Under Secretary for Health
Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin announced
the start of a campaign called HealthierUS Veterans a multi-pronged
educational effort to spawn healthy eating and physical activity among
veterans, their families and members of their communities.
VA medical
centers will promote nutrition and exercise with local groups in 40
communities that receive grants from HHS in a program called Steps to a
HealthierUS.
"Our
service men and women are known for their extraordinarily high levels of
fitness," said Perlin. "We want our veterans to be identified the same
way."
Overweight
patients receiving VA health care may participate in weight loss
programs tailored to their needs. They may also receive pedometers,
diet advisories and prescriptions suggesting how much to walk -- or,
in the case of wheelchair users, how much to roll.
The two
secretaries also plan to kick off regional educational campaigns this
spring in four cities where VA and HHS Steps programs
collaborate. Local celebrities and members of veterans service
organizations will be invited to participate.
For more information
click here.
Click here to Search SeniorJournal.com for more on
this subject
Click to More Senior News on the
Front Page
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
