The UA Zuckerman College of Public Health’s EXPORT Project and the El Rio Health Center—in collaboration with the Sunnyside and Elvira neighborhoods—will mark a healthy start of the year by sponsoring a community diabetes symposium, “Un Futuro sin la Diabetes” or “A Future without Diabetes,” Jan. 12-13, 2007, at the El Pueblo Neighborhood Center, 101 W. Irvington.

The free community event begins at 3 p.m. on the 12th with a health fair, “La Feria de Salud,” sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and a number of community health agencies.

Ms. America Bracho (pictured left) , a nationally renowned health advocate and CEO of Latino Health Access of Santa Ana, Calif., will speak at the El Pueblo Neighborhood Center, Saturday, Jan. 13, 9:15 a.m. Her keynote speech will be followed by a community town hall facilitated by Lupita Murillo, KVOA TV Channel 4 News Team Member.

Activities for the rest of the day will feature dialogues with health care providers, sessions on nutrition, physical activity, and entertainment to help celebrate Latino family health.

The symposium is part of an effort to address the growing problem of diabetes among Latinos, a challenge that has engaged a number of health care providers and agencies in Tucson. The Sunnyside and Elvira Advocates for Health (SEAH), which is formed by residents of both neighborhoods, have undertaken a number of initiatives to help lower obesity, increase places and opportunities for physical activity, improve nutrition, and encourage diabetes prevention activities in Southside Tucson.

Other major sponsors for the event include Mayor Walkup’s Healthy Tucson Initiative and Pfizer.

NOTE: The event is free, but space is limited to the first 250 registrants. To register or for more information about the symposium, call (520) 621-5075 or 307-1845.