GE Healthcare in Milwaukee holds first community event at Boys & Girls Clubs of
Greater Milwaukee (Wis.) on October 16.
WAUWATOSA, Wis.--(Business Wire)--
Today, GE Healthcare will roll out a national health awareness program called
BEE Healthy*, a General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) corporate-wide initiative
that provides fun, interactive activities for children while educating families
about childhood obesity. The GE Hispanic Forum, an employee-based group that
focuses on making a positive difference in the Hispanic community through an
emphasis on health and education, will host the first-ever BEE Healthy* Kids
Fitness Buzz.
The "BEE" portion of BEE Healthy* represents the goals to: Balance for
stretching and flexibility; Exercise, and Eat healthy. The first of 10 national
events, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee will partner with GE
Healthcare to kick off the "Fitness Buzz" on October 16. An estimated 100 boys
and girls will compete on the obstacle course challenge at the facility`s
gymnasium with GE Volunteers mentoring and helping the students with the fitness
event. The obstacle course will feature nine activities in which the children
will participate and learn about good nutrition and exercise while they have
fun. At the completion of the BEE Healthy* program they should realize the
importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Aligns with healthymagination
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), childhood obesity is
reaching epidemic proportions. Obesity rates have doubled over the past 20 years
for children from 6 to 11 years and have tripled in children ages 12 through 19.
Hispanic children are particularly at risk for this health problem, as up to 23
percent are considered obese when measured by body mass index standards.
According to Michael J. Barber, GE Corporate Officer and Vice President,
Healthymagination, BEE Healthy aligns with GE`s Healthymagination initiative
rolled out earlier this year. "Healthymagination centers around lowering costs,
touching more lives and improving the quality of healthcare," he said. "The
goals of BEE Healthy touches all three crucial needs and demonstrates our
on-going commitment to healthy lifestyles."
The CDC says that obese children are more likely to have cardiovascular disease
risk factors such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, as well as bone
and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems. Obese
children are more likely to become overweight adults, and may be more at risk
for associated adult health problems. "BEE Healthy provides the means for GE to
touch the lives and improve the health of the Hispanic community," said Barber.
Healthcare disparity
The rise in obesity among Hispanic youth may be caused in part by healthcare
disparity, the gap that exists in access and quality of standard care for
specific populations. "The reasons for healthcare disparity are varied," said
Alfredo Arguello, General Manager for Global Diagnostic Imaging Sales and GE
Hispanic Forum Milwaukee Hub Champion. "Many times decreased access is the cause
- decreased access to quality foods and nutrition."
"The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee are excited about our partnership
with GE," said Joe A. Treviño, Boys and Girls Club Southside Area Director.
"Nutrition and exercise are very important components of the services that we
bring to the children of this community. Our kids don`t always have the best
nutrition, and many of them deal with obesity issues. We know the first Fitness
Buzz will be successful and we`re looking forward to future possibilities."
GE`s Hispanic Forum Milwaukee Disparity Group works with employee volunteers and
non-profit groups in communities around the nation to address the problem. The
employee volunteer group created the program which has been adopted as a GE-wide
initiative. "We have identified ways to overcome this disparity, and one of the
keys is to involve the community in establishing outreach initiatives," Arguello
said.
*BEE HEALTHY design is a trademark of General Electric Company.
ABOUT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER MILWAUKEE
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee works to make a dramatic difference
in the lives of young people. The tools and support we give our members teach
them how to become artists of their own destiny and not the victims of poverty,
crime, or substance abuse. To measure our influence, we look at how our
programming impacts our youth in four outcome areas: academic success, health
and life skills, civic and community involvement, and character and leadership
development. To learn more, visit our website: www.boysgirlsclubs.org.
ABOUT GE HEALTHCARE
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that
are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging
and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems,
drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance
improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver
better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we
partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change
necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.
Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on
our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs,
increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world.
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a $17 billion unit of
General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than
46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients
in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our
website at www.gehealthcare.com
GE Healthcare
Autumn Latimore
C: 262-497-2753
autumn.latimore@ge.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
