Health
NBCDI is committed to building on our communities’ strengths, assets and rich cultural backgrounds to improve and address the range of health issues, disparities and inequalities that have confronted us over the last several decades. Our work has included initiatives to increase seat belt use, reduce the incidence of SIDS and infant mortality, promote early health screenings, and help children cope with crises. While we continue to address each of these issues, our current focus is on strengthening programs and policies that respond to the staggering hunger and obesity challenges our communities are facing.
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One out of every four Black children is overweight, compared to one in seven white children.
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Among Black teenage girls ages 12 to 19, more than 40 percent are overweight or at risk of being overweight.
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Over 90 percent of Black children will be on food stamps at some point during their childhood.
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60% of Black children have been reported to have more than 2 hours of screen time per day, as compared to only 35% of white children.
With support from the Walmart Foundation, NBCDI has developed the Promoting Healthy Practices Program, an initiative that is successfully changing knowledge and behavior around healthy nutrition and physical activity with over 10,000 children, parents and caregivers. Through the development and implementation of curricula such as Grow Green Get Fit and Good for Me!, as well as resources including the Cultural Competence Improvement Tool, our Affiliates and partners have been able to effectively and successfully connect positive nutrition messages and actions with traditionally hard-to-reach Black families and communities Affiliates across the United States.
In addition to the Healthy Practices Program, NBCDI brings awareness to health issues in minority communities through our Child Health Talk publication. Child Health Talk provides information on topics such as providing a healthy home environment, health, nutrition, and literacy to assist parents and caregivers in supporting the positive growth and development of their children.