LVEJO's Healthy Latino Shools Campaign

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LVEJO's Healthy Latino Shools Campaign Page

Asthma

Parents United for Healthy Schools

Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools (pt 1)

Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools (pt 2)

Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools

Download "Stores" map as a PDF (full size 300 dpi)

Asthma and obesity are major problems for Chicago area youth. Chicago has the highest asthma mortality rates in the country with the greatest concentration of the disease in low-income and minority communities. Furthermore, according to the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC), the rates of obesity in Chicago are significantly higher than national rates, which have tripled in the last 30 years. A recent report by Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago documented that the rates of obesity are significantly higher in minority communities.

As troublesome as these statistics are, they do not adequately illustrate the severity of the problem among racial and ethnic groups. According the Improving Community Health Survey Report recently released by Sinai Urban Health Institute and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, despite efforts to reduce and eliminate health disparities among different racial and ethnic groups, there has been little success to show for this work. In fact, the report demonstrates that disparities are worsening in Chicago, rather than improving. Researchers examined six Chicago communities, one of them being West Town, one of the communities targeted in our Partnership. Among the health topics studied in West Town, they found that 28% of children have asthma and 73% of children are overweight or obese. This compares with national averages of 12% for asthma and 26% overweight or obese.

Program Description:

The Healthy Schools Campaign, partnering with Cook County Hospital and the University of Illinois-Chicago Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center, will work in two Chicago communities to evaluate the effectiveness of community organizing to mobilize schools to implement sustainable, environmental solutions as a means of reducing asthma and obesity. The project, titled the Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools, has two community partners: Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and West Town Leadership United.

The overall goal of this project is to reduce the impact of asthma and obesity in the quality of care, quality of life, and diagnoses of these conditions in Latino school populations.

In Spring of 2008 LVJEO finalized this project. Please contact our offices for more information.

Download this map as a PDF (full size 300 dpi)

Asthma

In July of 2007, LVEJO in partnership with McCormick School hosted the 1st Annual Environmental Justice Fair for parents, students and community members. Over 200 parents and students received health screenings for cholesterol, high blood pressure and other items. There were information/sign up tables for: KidCare, the Little Village Boys and Girls Club, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago Diesel Initiative, and LVEJO campaigns. Community members learned which areas in Little Village and Pilsen were doubly impacted by the two coal power plants, the Celotex Campaign shared information on home clean ups with area residents and invited community members outside that area to design workshops for the park. Public Transit Organizers talked with
members about the proposed fair hike and service cuts. LVEJO's youth passed out el cilantro and helped sell t-shirts and sweatshirts. The day turned out to be both beautiful weather wise as well as a chance for community members to come together and share.

Parents United for Healthy Schools
Padres Unidos para Escuelas Saludables
Parent Training

View original flyer

	West Side Technical Center 2800 South Western Ave. Chicago IL. 60608 August 7 & 9 and 14 &16 2007 9:30 AM - 12:30PM Other Events

View original flyer

Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools

Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma
and Obesity in Schools

In Chicago, low-income communities of color lead the city in alarming rates of asthma and obesity. In West Town, which has a large Latino population, 28% of children have asthma and 73% of children are overweight or obese. This compares with national averages of 12% for asthma and 26% for overweight or obese. In order to address these critical issues, the Healthy Schools Campaign, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, West Town Leadership United, Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center and Cook County Bureau of Health Services have formed the Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools.

The partnership, made possible through a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences, will engage parents and school communities in West Town and Little Village to develop effective community-driven strategies that address the problem of asthma and obesity in school environments.

Comments regarding LVEJO

Environmental Research Foundation / Rachel's News Archive now housed with LVEJO (En Español)

LVEJO welcomes any and all who want to volunteer either in the office, community and with any of the community campaigns:

Please contact a specific organizer for volunteer opportunities with a campaign or you can call 773.762.6991
or email info@lvejo.org for more information.

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