Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

NORMAN, OK - Health Promotion Programs (HPP), the recognized leader in facilitating native wellness conferences for the past 15 years, proudly announces the Native Diabetes Prevention Conference to be held January 21 through 23 in Laughlin, Nevada.

Individuals with diabetes and their supportive family members, as well as diabetes practitioners and community leaders, are invited to join this gathering for an exciting opportunity to learn about diabetes innovations as well as to share knowledge and understanding.

This conference is the eighth of its kind since HPP began diabetes prevention work in 1992.

Co-sponsors for this year's conference include the Southwest Diabetes Prevention Center of Gallup, New Mexico and the Association of American Indian Physicians of Oklahoma City and sponsored by the OU College of Continuing Education, the American Indian Institute of Norman, Okla.

As a complement to the conference, HPP is also offering Native Fitness Training for Special Populations at the same site, Jan. 23 through 25.

Native holistic wellness philosophy is at the root of native traditional beliefs and is the foundation upon which all of the HP Programs are built. In that spirit, this conference honors those traditional beliefs and practices by making them an integral part of the gathering.

The conference theme is "T' hw' aj téego, It Is Up To You!" This traditional Navajo statement of empowerment will set the tone in bringing together the best and brightest that Indian Country has to offer in diabetes prevention, intervention, and treatment.

Participants are asked to bring with them their own traditional words, beliefs, and ceremonies so that time can be taken to celebrate other powerful work being done in native communities throughout North America.

Workshop presentations will focus on the importance of exercise and nutrition to building a healthy lifestyle and managing weight, and the healing power associated with storytelling.

In addition, several workshops will highlight important efforts being made by organizations working hard to combat the incidence and prevalence of diabetes and its complications in native people, including: the Southwest Diabetes Prevention Center, the Association for American Indian Physicians, and the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, as well as various tribal communities throughout the Southwest.

As always, conference activities will include educational exhibitors and wellness activities, including a sunrise walk, low impact and chair exercises, talking circles and Native AA.

The conference registration fee is $230 per participant if registering by Jan. 14, 2002. Participants registering after that date or on-site will be charged $330. The Native Fitness Training registration fee is $200 any time up to the beginning of the training on January 23, 2002.

For more information, call 325-1790 or visit University of Oklahoma, Health Promotion Programs (HPP) and go to Upcoming Events.