- Fall 2004 -

California African American 5 a Day Campaign Takes Action

Facts on African-American health, shopping habits and access to retail outlets were recently announced at a Black History Month celebration led by the East Oakland Faith Deliverance Center, a partner of the California African American 5 a Day Campaign. The new research results showed that 65% of African Americans are overweight or obese, which can lead to higher risk of death for heart disease, cancer, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

"Based on these alarming statistics, it's more important now than ever that African Americans start confronting these serious health concerns," says Shene Bowie, Oakland spokesperson for the statewide African American 5 a Day Campaign advisory council. "Sixty-five percent of African Americans being overweight or obese is disturbing," Bowie adds. "We need to start making changes now if we want to see our community succeed and survive."

Also discussed was the growing concern of access and affordability to fresh fruits and vegetables. The campaign, in conjunction with the Alameda County Diabetes Work Group, was joined by Amani Gazzali from Gazzali's Supermarket, a soon-to-be-opened grocery store that has pledged to East Oakland health officials to keep quality fruits and vegetables at affordable prices, a rarity in low-income areas such as East Oakland.

According to a document recently released about access and affordability to supermarkets and fresh fruit and vegetables in low-income areas, there are 30% fewer supermarkets in low-income areas than in higher-income areas. Also, when compared to their suburban counterparts, inner-city residents face different food shopping environments, as demonstrated by higher prices, fewer choices, and more focus on tobacco sales, alcohol and foods with low nutritional value.

The California African American 5 a Day Campaign empowers Californians to consume five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day and to be physically active at least 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for children through faith-based outreach, community education, advocacy and policy development that promote the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity from a cultural perspective.

For more information, please call 1-888-EAT-FIVE or visit www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/cdic/cpns/ca5aday.