CONTRA COSTA: Video Underscores Chronic Disease Prevention

      A "groundbreaking" video will premiere this month on Contra Costa cable TV, delivering a message about chronic disease prevention, Contra Costa Times reports. The video, "Together We Can Make a Change," is a 22-minute piece about how local communities can work to prevent cancer, diabetes and heart and lung disease. Contra Costa officials at the Public and Environmental Health Advisory Board estimate that two out of every three county residents die from one of the aforementioned chronic illnesses. Jena Fiel, project coordinator of the Chronic Disease Prevention Organizing Project, said, "This [video] gives us a powerful tool to show people what environmental factors cause these diseases in Contra Costa and encourage them to work together to prevent them." Health care professionals argue that the risk factors for the targeted diseases are largely preventable and urge people to eat healthier, reduce their sedentary lifestyles, stop tobacco use and reduce their exposure to long-term stress. Produced by Donna Smith and Sandy Large of CCTV, the program will air Tuesdays, Jan. 18 and 25 at 7 p.m., and on Thursdays, Jan. 20 and Feb. 3 at 12:30 p.m. Concord and Clayton residents can see the program on channel 18. Residents of Alamo, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Rossmoor and Walnut Creek can view the program on channel 19 (1/13).