Healthy Students, Healthy Minds

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As the economy worsens, we are slowly and gradually seeing the economic gap between the wealthy and low-income, working classes increase and the middle class disapper. As a result, low-income communities of color suffer from unequal access to quality and affordable grocery stores and little to no medical coverage. This is directly connected to the high rates of diabetes, child obesity and other serious health problems that our communities suffer from. Two out of three Latino children born since 2000 will get diabetes in their life. One out of three Latino children are overweight or obese. This is the first generation that will die at a younger age than their parents. These are just three of the many statistics that plague our community and we must put an end to this EPIDEMIC!
 
What does this have to do with education reform work?
 
Studies have shown that child nutrition and health has a direct impact on academic ahievement. And, because for many children in low-income communities of color, school is the only place that consistently provides them with a full meal, schools play a critical role in ensuring ALL students are "fed" for success. To be able to equip all students with the tools and skills necessary to ensure they graduate prepared for college, schools must provide a healthy learning environment in which they can thrive, one that includes healthy school meals and snacks and quality physical education.
 
As part of our Freedom to Learn campaign, Padres & Jovenes Unidos has launched a campaign that calls on Denver Public Schools to make healthy eating and living and student wellness a priority as an additional means to ensure ALL students are prepared for college and success.
 
To get involved with our Healthy Students, Healthy Minds Campaign, contact Elsa Oliva Rocha at (303) 458-6545 or elsa@padresunidos.org.