Media Advisory: State Health Commissioner, Local Officials Highlight Obesity, Diabetes Prevention at Events Monday in Guilderland, Schenectady

Part of National Public Health Week Tour

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 4, 2011) – Today at 10:30 a.m. at the Crossgates Mall food court, New York State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., will be joined by local officials as he kicks off a 6-county National Public Health Week tour with stops in Guilderland and Schenectady to highlight measures needed to address the dual epidemics of obesity and diabetes.

STOP #1

  • WHO:

    State Health Commissioner Shah, Albany County Executive Michael G. Breslin, Albany County Health Commissioner James B. Crucetti, M.D., M.P.H.

    WHAT:

    Official kick-off of National Public Health Week will highlight the "I Choose 600" obesity prevention campaign that encourages consumers to check the calorie counts of meals purchased at fast food restaurants and choose meals that don't exceed 600 calories. Research shows that overconsumption of calories is the primary cause of the obesity epidemic. 60 percent of adult New Yorkers and one-third of children are overweight or obese. Calorie posting at fast food restaurants is currently required in Albany, Schenectady, Ulster and Suffolk Counties and New York City. Calorie posting will be required nationwide in summer 2012 as part of the Affordable Care Act. On Friday, the FDA issued draft calorie posting requirements for public comment.

    WHERE:

    Crossgates Mall -- 2nd Floor Food Court
    1 Crossgates Mall, Guilderland, N.Y. 12203

    WHEN:

    Monday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m.

    OPEN PRESS

    (Note – News media are advised to park near the entrance to Pizzeria Uno and Best Buy or near the entrance to The Standard restaurant and Ruby Tuesday).

STOP #2

  • WHO:

    Commissioner Shah; Schenectady County legislator Brian Gordon, M.D.; Schenectady County Health Commissioner David S. Pratt, M.D., M.P.H.; Capital District YMCA CEO David Brown; Yasmine Legendre of the NYS Health Foundation; Chandra Datt of REACH Diabetes Action Coalition; and Joanne DeNovio, RN, of Ellis Medicine.

    WHAT:

    Highlight YMCA and other local efforts to counter a dangerous increase in diabetes and pre-diabetes. Nearly 9 percent of the adult population – 1.3 million New Yorkers -- has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and another 760,000 have diabetes and don't know it. The CDC estimates that one-third of all Americans have pre-diabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing diabetes.

    WHERE:

    Schenectady YMCA, 433 State Street, Schenectady 12305

    WHEN:

    Monday, April 4, at 2 p.m.

    OPEN PRESS

    For the complete schedule of Public Health Week activities, go to: http://health.ny.gov/press/releases/2011/2011-04-01_public_health_week_media_advisory.htm