Releases & Statements

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 14, 2008
Contact: Alex Shoor
(212) 669-4691; (202) 669-7059
Release #:26-2008

Public Advocate Gotbaum Launches Children's Health and Wellness Tour

MANHATTAN – Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum today launched a citywide Healthy Kids Summer Wellness Tour to make sure parents are taking early steps to ensure their children are healthy. Public Advocate Gotbaum, joined by the Community Healthcare Network, will be touring the five boroughs and providing free health screenings to raise awareness about childhood obesity.

A 2003 survey conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) found that 43 percent of all elementary school students in New York City are overweight or obese. The DOHMH also noted that one in five kindergarteners and one in four first grade students are obese.

This summer, Public Advocate Gotbaum and the Community Healthcare Network will offer quick and pain-free medical screenings around the five boroughs to assess child Body Mass Index, educate parents on the importance of early preventive child healthcare, provide nutritional information and resources and encourage daily exercise..

Public Advocate Gotbaum said, “Healthy habits start early. Parents need to help kids make healthy choices – like eating right, exercising and getting regular checkups. If we can help our youth understand the importance of adopting healthy habits at an early age, then we can set them up for good health later on in life.”

Catherine M. Abate, president and CEO of Community Healthcare Network said, “Community Healthcare Network is delighted to work together with NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum in providing health services to children and their families throughout New York City. By helping families gain access to health care and health education, we are not only improving the health of the community, we are creating a generation of healthy children.”

Healthy Kids Summer Wellness Tour Dates*

Saturday, July 19

1pm to 2pm

Orchard Beach, Bronx

Sunday, July 20
12noon to 2pm
New Baptist Temple Block Party
360 Schemerhorn St. btwn 3rd Avenue & Nevins St, Brooklyn

Monday, July 28
6pm to 8pm
MLK Concert Series – Gospel Night
Wingate Field, Brooklyn Avenue btwn Rutland Road & Withrop St., Brooklyn

Tuesday, August 5
6pm to 8pm
National Night Out Against Crime
Cabbell Park, Francis Lewis Blvd btwn 120 Avenue and 220th St., Queens

Saturday, August 16
Time TBD
Harlem Week, Manhattan

Saturday, August 23
1pm to 2:30pm
The Floating Pool Lady

Barretto Point Park, Tiffany Street & Viele Avenue, Hunts Point, Bronx

Saturday, Sept. 6
Time TBD
Richmond County Fair
441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island

Sunday, Sept. 14
12noon to 2pm
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens

*Tour dates are subject to change.

The Public Advocate will be giving away coloring books and raffling off various items to promote children’s health: Water bottles, jump ropes, Odwalla bars, flying discs, NYC paintball games to encourage children's exercise, and New York City baseball paraphernalia, donated by the New York Mets and the New York Yankees.

Community Healthcare Network (CHN) is a non-profit organization serving nearly 60,000 New Yorkers each year. CHN provides access to affordable and comprehensive community-based primary care and social services for diverse populations throughout New York City.

To learn more about the importance of children’s health and the Healthy Kids Summer Wellness tour, visit www.pubadvocate.nyc.gov or www.chnnyc.org.

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