| News |
September 20, 2007
City of New Iberia and Blue Cross Join to Promote Better Health
2 Step spokesman Mike Karney challenges other cities to "Do the 2"
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana announced today that New Iberia will become its first Louisiana 2 Step City. New Iberia city employees join the more than 5,500 Louisianians who have taken the pledge to eat right and move more. “It’s time for Louisiana to take a stand against obesity,” said Mayor Hilda Curry. “I’m encouraging all New Iberia city employees and residents to sign up for the Louisiana 2 Step.” Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the Louisiana 2 Step campaign urges Louisiana residents to “Do the 2,” or take two small daily steps toward better health by eating right and moving more. The fun, free and information-packed www.Louisiana2Step.com website gives visitors a wide variety of interactive tools, including virtual health coaches, to educate, motivate and inspire them to make healthier lifestyle choices. Louisiana 2 Step spokesman and New Orleans Saints fullback Mike Karney is encouraging other cities to follow New Iberia’s example. “New Iberia is our first 2 Step City. How many other cities are ready to say, ‘We’re going to beat this problem and give our people the tools they need to get healthy’? I challenge the mayors of all the cities of Louisiana to seize this moment to make a big difference for your community,” said Karney. The city’s Louisiana 2 Step participation kicks off with an employee event on Sept. 26. New Iberia residents will have an opportunity to sign up for the Louisiana 2 Step at the Sugarcane Festival on Sept. 29. In addition, anyone can sign up for the 2 Step for free at any time by visiting the website at www.Louisiana2Step.com. “Research shows that small lifestyle changes can add up to better health and lowered risk for obesity-related diseases,” said John Maginnis, vice president of corporate communications at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. “It’s very exciting to have an entire city commit to eating right and moving more.” The burden of obesity hits our state hard: Since January, the Louisiana 2 Step campaign has urged Louisiana residents to visit www.Louisiana2Step.com and learn how they can make small changes to combat obesity. So far, more than 29,500 unique visitors have done so. About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana About the Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is Louisiana-owned and -operated. Marking its 73rd anniversary this year, the company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It is a tax-paying mutual company, owned by its policyholders. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana also has district offices in Alexandria, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport. The company’s subsidiaries include HMO Louisiana, Inc. and Southern National Life Insurance Company, Inc.
Opened in 1988, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center now houses 14 research laboratories, 17 core service laboratories, inpatient and outpatient clinics, a research kitchen, an administrative area and more than $20 million in technologically advanced equipment. Located in Baton Rouge, the Center was expanded in 1993 to include the C.B. Pennington Jr. Conference Center, residence apartments, and an exercise and fitness facility. More than 70 faculty members and over 600 physicians, scientists and support personnel focus their research efforts on six key areas: Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, Experimental Obesity, Functional Foods, Nutrition and Chronic Diseases, Health and Performance Enhancement, and Nutrition and the Brain. For more information, visit www.pbrc.edu.