LOS ANGELES, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Entertainment Industry Foundation and Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, along with Prevention magazine, will bring together the nation’s leading health experts for an informative luncheon for Hollywood’s leaders to explore and spotlight America’s escalating obesity and diabetes epidemics in the United States. The Health Focus 2006 luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 15th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills with more than 300 entertainment industry leaders, including heads of major studios, producers, screen writers and actors in attendance.
It is estimated that nearly two thirds (64 percent) of Americans are overweight or obese according to the National Center for Health. The number of children who are overweight or obese has increased by more than 300 percent since 1980. Obesity raises a person’s risk of developing diabetes by up to 93 percent.
Today, nearly 21 million people nationwide have diabetes, of which 6.2 million people are undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease has increased 10 fold in the past 20 years among children. Diabetes, when not treated properly, often can lead to serious complications, including blindness, kidney damage, heart disease, amputations and stroke.
At the event, honorary chair First Lady Maria Shriver will highlight the leadership role California’s government and private industry can play in combating the obesity crises. The program will also include a panel discussion with four health experts, including cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston, associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and author of the best-selling South Beach Diet books; Dr. Francine Kaufman, acclaimed professor of pediatrics at University of Southern California and author of the popular new book called Diabesity; Dr. Glenn Matfin, a renowned endocrinologist; and Dr. Kelly Brownell, director of the prestigious Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders. Rosemary Ellis, Editorial Director of Prevention magazine, will conclude the program, offering practical solutions for living a better, healthier life.
This Health Focus 2006 luncheon is part of a series of highly successful Entertainment Industry Foundation events which aim to inspire the entertainment community to create innovative ways to deliver positive health messages in their creative work.
The event’s honorary host committee consists of some of the most influential people working in the entertainment industry, including: Chris Albrecht, Ria & Jim Berkus, Dayna & Steven Bocho, Linda and Jerry Bruckheimer, Megan and Peter Chernin, Lauren Shuler Donner & Richard Donner, Tracey Edmonds, Rosemary Ellis, Lucy fisher & Douglas Wick, Jensen & Sam Gores, Jill & Brad Grey, Alan Horn, Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall, Richard Lovett, Barbara Mandel & James L Brooks, Wanda McDaniel & Al Ruddy, Barry M. Meyer, Kelly & Ron Meyer, Helen Mirren & Taylor Hackford, Andrew Purcell, Michele & Rob Reiner, Monica & Phil Rosenthal, Samine & Martin Soeters, Darren Star, Erin & Robert Stein, Anne M. Sweeney, Jamie & Steve Tisch, Paula Wagner & Rick Nicita, Elizabeth & Jim Wiatt, Rita Wilson, Janet & Jerry Zucker.
In March 2004, Novo Nordisk and the Entertainment Industry Foundation launched Diabetes Aware to educate Americans about how early diagnosis partnered with an individualized treatment plan can help to prevent long-term complications associated with diabetes. The group has issued both celebrity-driven public service announcements and patient awareness materials, including an interactive CD-ROM. This luncheon is part of the group’s ongoing strategy to engage the entertainment community in its efforts. Visit www.DiabetesAware.com.
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 80-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. With the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems, Novo Nordisk is a world leader in diabetes care. Novo Nordisk’s ambition is changing diabetes. Working as a catalyst to improve diabetes prevention and treatment, the company strives to be the preferred partner for employees, patients, healthcare providers, and others in the healthcare system who share its vision to defeat diabetes. Novo Nordisk’s business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility. For more information, visit www.novonordisk-us.com.
About Prevention
Prevention magazine, America’s leading healthy lifestyle magazine, and the 11th largest magazine in the nation, has been providing readers with the most current information on health, fitness, nutrition, and healthy, active lifestyles for more than 50 years. Published by Rodale Inc., Prevention reaches nearly 11 million readers each month and is recognized as the nation’s most authoritative, trustworthy and innovative source for practical health information. Visit www.prevention.com.
About the Entertainment Industry Foundation
As the philanthropic leader of the entertainment industry, the Entertainment Industry Foundation has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars -- and provided countless volunteer hours -- to support charitable initiatives addressing some of the most critical issues facing society today. Visit www.eifoundation.org
Entertainment Industry Foundation
CONTACT: Kristen Steinhilber of Full Picture, +1-310-860-0505,ksteinhilber@fullpic.com; or Judi Ketcik of Entertainment IndustryFoundation, +1-818-505-2649, jketcik@eifoundation.org
