HCHY List: 'First Responders' Service-Learning Module Offers Framework for Projects Addressing Childhood Obesity

[Michael Minks]

In order to address the growing childhood obesity epidemic, Youth Service A=
merica (YSA) and UnitedHealth Group are supporting youth-led projects that =
focus on healthy lifestyles by awarding the UnitedHealth HEROES service-lea=
rning grants and publishing an educational guide to help young people and e=
ducators develop service-learning activities in their own communities.

Naming children and youth as 'first responders' to this national crisis, HE=
ROES grants challenge youth to find solutions to a crisis that directly aff=
ects them. 109 youth-led projects in 15 states received grants that address=
 the childhood obesity epidemic through direct action, such as providing ex=
ercise opportunities to children in lower grades; indirect action, such as =
researching diabetes and its causes and educating peers; and advocacy effor=
ts, such as petitioning the school board to offer healthier cafeteria menu =
items. Learn more about the projects planned by the 109 grantees at:  http:=
//ysa.org/AwardsGrants/UnitedHealthHEROES/UnitedHealthHEROES2009/tabid/344/=
Default.aspx =


"We believe that as people become more aware of health issues through healt=
h literacy and advocacy initiatives they will make positive changes to live=
 better lives," said Rick Jelinek, CEO of AmeriChoice, a UnitedHealth Group=
 company. "We believe the UnitedHealth HEROES grants will empower teams of =
students to collaborate with teachers and community leaders to develop thei=
r own awareness programs that will make their schools and neighborhoods hea=
lthier. In reviewing the grant applications, we were inspired by the creati=
ve ideas our young people came up with to help fight obesity and encourage =
healthier living."

The HEROES service-learning projects are being implemented during the sprin=
g semester and will culminate on the 21st annual Global Youth Service Day (=
GYSD), April 24-26, 2009. YSA and UnitedHealth Group will offer a second ro=
und of UnitedHealth HEROES service-learning grants on August 1, 2009 for pr=
ojects occurring during the 2009-2010 school year.  http://www.ysa.org/awar=
ds

In addition to the HEROES grants, YSA and UnitedHealth Group also published=
 "First Responders: Youth Addressing Childhood Obesity Through Service-Lear=
ning". This free, online guide, developed in collaboration with UnitedHealt=
hcare, is an excellent resource for educators, service-learning coordinator=
s, and students of medicine to develop effective obesity-related service-le=
arning projects that allow children and youth to plan and implement service=
 or advocacy projects that link to school curricula and education standards=
.  Download the =93First Responders=94 Guide at: http://tools.ysa.org/downl=
oads/modules/YSAPediatricObesityModule.pdf =

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