2011 Town Hall Meeting: "The Challenge of Obesity from Cradle to Grave"

Media contact: Lisa Merritt, M.D.
941.906.9484 / cxdisparities@yahoo.com

Sarasota healthcare groups join forces to present
2011 Town Hall Meeting:
"The Challenge of Obesity from Cradle to Grave"

[ Nov. 10, 2010 — Sarasota, Fla. ] Local healthcare groups including the Cobb Institute, Gulf Coast Medical Society, Multicultural Health Institute and Sarasota Memorial Hospital host their 2011 Town Hall Meeting, "Childhood Obesity from Cradle to Grave," a two-day event, Jan. 7 and 8, 2011, taking place at both the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium and the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. This event is free and open to the public.

The programs scheduled are designed to promote in-depth discussions of prenatal and early childhood factors in obesity and how they can impact lifelong struggles with obesity.  Equally important is employer recognition of the value of onsite wellness programs that address prevention and reduction of obesity.

 An array of metabolic, hemodynamic, and renal abnormalities constitutes the cardio-metabolic syndrome. A hallmark of this syndrome is visceral obesity and associated insulin resistance. The syndrome is also associated with hypertension, abnormalities in blood pressure and heart rate and additional symptoms, all of which contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.

The 2011 Town Hall will discuss all of these health impacts at several events, beginning with grand rounds by the National Medical Association president on Fri., Jan. 7 from 8-9 a.m. at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium and the welcome reception from 7 to 9 p.m. that evening at the Hyatt. This Friday night event is open to the public and will showcase community organizations and resources that are helping to solve this epidemic. The theme is "Start The New Year Right" and will feature the unveiling of a bilingual community resource guide to be distributed at community events.

On Saturday, a lecture series featuring local and national experts will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium and the event will conclude with a dinner-dance at the Hyatt at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The complete schedule is below.

All members of the community and healthcare professionals including educators, researchers, community leaders, advocates and policy makers are invited to attend. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is accredited by the Florida Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Sarasota Memorial hospital designated this educational activity for a maximum of four AMA PRA Category One credits.

For more information, contact Lisa Merritt, M.D. 941-906-9484 or Faith Cooper 202.347.1895
2011 Town Hall Meeting: The Health Impact of CardioMetabolic Syndrome

Fri., Jan 7, 2011
8-9 a.m. NMA president grand rounds at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium
7-9 p.m. Start the New Year Right! Welcome reception at Hyatt Regency Sarasota
 Sat., Jan. 8, 2011
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. - Lecture Series at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium
7-10 p.m. Dinner-dance at Hyatt Regency Sarasota
 About the National Medical Association

Founded in 1895, the NMA is a nonprofit organization that is the nation's oldest and largest medical association representing the interests of more 30,000 African American physicians and their patients. The NMA advocates health care for policies that would assure equitable and quality health care for all.  For more information please visit nmanet.org

 About The Cobb Institute

The National Medical Association (NMA) launched the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute in December 2004 to develop, evaluate, and implement strategies to promote wellness and eliminate health disparities and racism in medicine.  The Cobb Institute conducts data-driven research, makes policy recommendations where appropriate, and serves as a resource for NMA members and the greater healthcare community. The long range vision of the Institute is to become a preeminent repository of information about the health of African Americans. For more information please visit http://cobb.nmanet.org/index.php/About/

 About The Multicultural Health Institute

The Multicultural Health Institute is devoted to the research and dissemination of information regarding multicultural health issues, with a goal of improving healthcare delivery through greater understanding among all parties involved.  Founded in California in 1995, the organization has conducted programs on the local, state and national levels.  They have consulted with organizations such as the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PHARMA), National Medical Association (NMA), Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), National Institutes Of Health, Morehouse School of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control REACH collaborative. For more information please visit multiculturalhealthinstitute.com