Today, the United States faces a modern epidemic of cancer & chronic disease.
In 2005 alone, over 133,000,000 Americans were affected by obesity, diabetes, chronic disease, and various forms of cancers – and the number continues to rise each year.
As a result of these illnesses, the economic impact on the United States alone is estimated at $117 billion each year in lost productivity, reduced workforce, direct and indirect medical costs.
Road of Life is out to reverse this trend. On average, $150 in the organization can provide a classroom of 30 students with the skills they need to live a long, healthy life.
Three (3) Alarming Statistics
- 1 in 3 Americans
- Childhood Obesity
- Life Expectancy
Health education and cancer prevention is needed now more than ever.
The good news is that 50% of all cancer-related deaths and chronic diseases are preventable through lifestyle changes. Road of Life has developed seven (7) different curricula for classroom, summer camp, and at-home settings that give teachers and parents the tools they need to incorporate health education into the lives of their students.
Why health education?
Many of the chronic diseases that plague our nation are fully preventable.
The cause of obesity, diabetes, and many forms of cancer stem from unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor diet, and lack of physical activity.
Many of these unhealthy choices are initiated during childhood, simply because our children have not been taught otherwise.
Road of Life believes there is a better way.
The American School Food Service Association (ASFSA) issued this statement on healthy childhood weight in 2005:
“Schools are a logical place to promote lifelong healthy behaviors. Every school day 50 million young people attend more than 110,000 schools in the United States. Research has shown that well-designed and well-implemented school based physical activity and nutrition programs can be effective.”
Prevent Cancer & Chronic Disease Before They Start
Experts agree that childhood is the most critical time to stop unhealthy behaviors and replace them with habits that promote long-term well being.
1.) Lifelong behaviors, both good and bad, are formed during the elementary and middle school years.
2.) Overwhelmingly, people who do not use tobacco as teens never start using it.
3.) According to the Center for Disease Control, education can be more effective that regulatory measures in the long-term reduction of tobacco use.
The Real Cost of Disease
- A Healthy Diet
- Tobacco Use
- The Cost of Obesity
What Happens When…
