Five Critical Children's Health Issues Featured in New Public Broadcasting Documentary

Five Critical Children's Health Issues Featured in New Public Broadcasting Documentary

'PA Healthy Kids: Back to Basics' will air May 17 at 8 p.m. on WQED and Throughout Pennsylvania in June

PITTSBURGH, May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Researchers say we are at risk of raising the first generation of American children who will live sicker and die younger than the generations before them. A new one-hour program called "PA Healthy Kids: Back to Basics," produced by Emmy-Award-winning WQED-TV, focuses on five critical children's health issues -- nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem, grieving and bullying -- and premieres on WQED in Pittsburgh on Thursday, May 17 at 8 p.m. The program is sponsored by the Highmark Foundation.

"PA Healthy Kids: Back to Basics" gives special emphasis to the issues which affect children 6-18 years of age and the impact on their future health. These five issues were identified by the Highmark Foundation in 2006 as part of its new community initiative called Highmark Healthy High 5. This $100 million program was designed to promote healthy lifestyles among children and adolescents to further reverse the current negative trends in children's health.

The documentary features leaders and experts in their fields who address these key five areas. For example, childhood obesity prevention expert, Dr. Rebecca Bickel, from Pittsburgh is in the segment on obesity. Included besides a discussion on the issue is a segment on programs that provide prevention solutions.

Another major focus of the show is on bullying and bullying prevention, both of which have become major issues for schools across the state. Bullying experts Dr. Matthew Masiello and Diana Schroeder from the Conemaugh Health System's Office of Community Health in Johnstown, and cyber-bullying law enforcement expert Officer Thomas Vulakovich from Allison Park, are featured.

"By addressing these key critical health issues, we aim to improve the health of children in Pennsylvania, "explained Aaron Walton, chairman of the board of the Highmark Foundation. "The WQED program will highlight how we are addressing these issues by raising awareness, partnering with regional programs, and promoting healthy habits in children."

The program will also be airing on other public broadcasting stations across Pennsylvania throughout June, including: WITF in Harrisburg on June 24; WQLN in Erie; WLVT in Bethlehem; and WPSU in State College.

WQED Multimedia, honored with the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Station Excellence and eight other Emmy Awards in 2006, provides quality products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within its community and around the world. It is the parent company of WQED tv13 (PBS)- the nation's first community-supported station -- WQEX tv16; WQED fm89.3; WQEJ fm89.7/Johnstown; a publishing division that includes PITTSBURGH magazine; local and national television and radio productions; http://www.wqed.org/; and the WQED Education and Community Resource Center.

Highmark Healthy High 5 is a five-year, $100 million initiative of the Highmark Foundation aimed to reverse the current trends in children's health and to promote lifelong healthy habits in children throughout the 49 counties served by the Highmark Foundation. Highmark Healthy High 5 addresses five critical children's health issues, including nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem, grieving and bullying prevention -- through education, communications, volunteerism, grants and programming. For more information on Highmark Healthy High 5, visit http://www.highmarkhealthyhigh5.org/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Highmark Healthy High 5

CONTACT: Kristin Ioannou of Highmark Healthy High 5, +1-412-544-7643,
kristin.ioannou@highmark.com; or Rosemary Martinelli of WQED Multimedia,
+1-412-622-6433, Rmartine@wqed.org

Web site:

http://www.wqed.org/
http://www.highmarkhealthyhigh5.org/

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