BET Foundation to Host Women's Health Symposium in Dothan, AL

BET Foundation to Host Women's Health Symposium in Dothan, AL

Performance by Gospel Singer Karen Clark Sheard

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- From Washington, DC to Dothan, Alabama, the BET Foundation (BETF) is on the road to healthy living. In partnership with sponsors General Mills, State Farm and Merck, BET Foundation heads to the Greater Beulah Baptist Church in Dothan, AL on Sept. 7-8, 2007 for an for an exciting and enlightening Symposium to address health disparities affecting women of color.

The two-day health Symposium will kick off on Friday, Sept. 7 with T.E.A. Talk, a relaxing forum co-hosted by the National Medical Association, for ladies to listen to and talk with health experts. The Women's Health Symposium will feature free health screenings; fitness exercises; healthy cooking demonstrations; expert panelists and speakers including renowned gynecologic oncologist Groesbeck Parham, MD; Gwendolyn Lipscomb, Director, Office of Minority Health and Jessica Hardy, Director, Office of Women's Health. Dothan Commissioner Larry Matthews and the Honorable Vicki Moore, Mayor of Slocomb will be on hand to make special presentations at the Symposium. As one of the Symposium's many highlights, attendees will be treated to an inspiring special performance by evangelist and national gospel artist Karen Clark Sheard.

National health data shows that among African-American women, heart disease is the leading cause of death; 1 in 4 over 55 has diabetes and they account for 71% of the 4500 newly diagnosed HIV cases. The dialogue in Dothan is part of an ongoing BET Foundation initiative to encourage healthy lifestyles and share information on common preventable obesity-related health risks such as diabetes, hypertension, stoke, heart disease, certain forms of cancers and mental illness through women's health forums.

"The BET Foundation is committed to traveling the U.S. and sharing our healthy lifestyle message. Our goal is to make the African-American community healthy, one city at time," says Executive Director Lynda Dorman. "We work primarily with women because health disparities rates among African-American women are higher compared to other groups, but also because they can educate and encourage healthier choices in their respective households."

The Symposium is free and open to women ages 18 and older; however advanced registration is required as capacity is limited. Interested individuals can register for the event by visiting www.ahealthybet.com or call 1-800-626-9911, ext 2341 for more information.

WHAT: The BET Foundation, A Healthy BET: Women's Health Symposium
"Remembering Our Health"

WHEN: Fri, Sept. 8, T.E.A. Talk
- 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Sat, Sept. 9 Symposium
- 7:30 a.m. Check-in;
- 7:45 a.m. Master fitness class; and 8 a.m. free health
screenings begin.
- 10:00 a.m. Panel of Experts
- 1:45 p.m. Healthy Cooking Demonstrations
- 3:15 p.m. Performance by Evangelist Karen Clark Sheard

WHERE: Greater Beulah Baptist Church,
254 Headland Avenue, Dothan, AL

ABOUT BET FOUNDATION

The BET Foundation is a non-profit organization created to raise public awareness to the numerous health-related challenges within African-American communities. Established in 2003, the Foundation takes a pioneering step in addressing one of the leading behavioral-attributed health concerns among African-American women and families, obesity-related health concerns. Through specifically tailored initiatives and targeted campaigns, the BET Foundation aims to insure that African Americans live longer and healthier lives. The BET Foundation includes public service announcements (PSAs); targeted programming segments; seminars and health forums; health brochure materials; a dedicated toll-free hotline and website; and a nationwide Healthy BET Fitness Challenge contest to provide the tools and knowledge necessary for communities to develop long lasting healthy lifestyle habits. For more information, please visit www.ahealthybet.com.

ABOUT GENERAL MILLS

General Mills, with annual net sales of $10.8 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer food products. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills is also a leading supplier of baking and other food products to foodservice and commercial baking industries.

ABOUT STATE FARM

State Farm was founded in 1922 and built on face-to-face Good Neighbor service. State Farm(R) insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 75 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.6 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies.

ABOUT MERCK & CO., INC.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: BET Foundation

CONTACT: Dedra Owens, +1-202-491-0845, dotcommunication@earthlink.net,
for BET Foundation

Web site:

http://www.ahealthybet.com/

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