Stanford Report, February 28, 2007

Students lend hand at Oakland health forum

Five Stanford medical students are part of a new effort to help promote healthy eating and physical activity among African Americans.

The California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families offered free health-focused forums during February as part of Black History Month. In an Oakland forum on Feb. 24, Stanford medical students Sha-Nita Jones, Larry Ozowara, Ashley Plant, Makeda Robinson and Shobha Stack helped conduct medical screenings.

"Working directly with the African-American community, in collaboration with other partners, greatly leverages our ability to enhance the health and well-being of the overall community," said Ozowara.

Forum organizers want to kindle local support in reinventing recreation centers as community hubs for wellness. The goal is to create a safe place that offers a public garden, nutrition and cooking classes and space for exercising.

For more information on the organization, contact Joe Prickitt of the Bay Area Region Nutrition Network at (408) 792-5118.