Durham County Invites Citizens to Join the Care-A-Van of Health
January kicked off Durham County Public Health’s Care-A-Van of Health, a three-month diabetes awareness and prevention campaign. A Care-a-Van of Health includes a series of community-based courses to educate Durham’s citizens on the importance of fitness and healthy eating to prevent diabetes.
“Diabetes is a serious disease, but many times, related complications are preventable,” said Willa Robinson Allen, a program manager for Durham County Public Health. “Knowing the warning signs, maintaining a healthy diet, weight management and staying active are all ways to prevent complications from diabetes and other chronic conditions.”
Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in Durham. Created in response to the rise in diabetes in Durham, Public Health’s Care-A-Van of Health provides awareness, promotes the importance of early detection and identifies resources to encourage Durham residents to take diabetes seriously. Diabetes awareness can help citizens to avoid major complications such as kidney failure and amputations.
Care-A-Van of Health was created in November 2008 through Project Direct, the largest community-based intervention for diabetes ever funded to date, grant funding. In collaboration with CAARE, Inc., Union Baptist Church, Orange Grove Baptist Church and Southside Church of Christ, Durham County Public Health has created the following classes for citizens interested in diabetes prevention:
Fitness Leader Training held on Saturday, February 21 at Union Baptist Church, located at 904 N. Roxboro Street in Durham. Participants will learn how to lead exercise classes at their respective churches.
Spice of Life Cooking Demonstration held on Saturday, February 28 at Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located at 505 East End Avenue in Durham. Participants will learn about seasoning with herbs and spices to reduce the use of salt and how to prepare healthy meals.
The Care-A-Van of Health will end in March with a diabetes forum.
For more information about classes offered by the Care-A-Van of Health, contact Jannah Bierens, public health educator for Durham County Public Health, at 919-560-7767 or via email at jbierens@ph.co.durham.nc.us. Visit http://careavanofhealth.tripod.com for more information about Care-A-Van of Health.
