Leading the charge against childhood obesity and diabetes
It is staggering how many Monterey County residents are struggling or otherwise impacted by the adverse health effects associated with diabetes and obesity...
—Liz Lorenzi, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Population Health, Aspire Health
Monterey County faces a crisis that threatens healthy functioning of our communities. More than 42 percent of Monterey County children age 5–17 are overweight or obese, and more than 25 percent of residents self-reported having diabetes or prediabetes, according to the 2022 health survey completed by the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative.
Addressing this alarming trend is a top priority for Aspire Health’s Healthy Together program which helps families learn how to live healthy lives. Formerly called the Pediatric Wellness Program, Healthy Together underwent a recent expansion to reach more families with the aim of curbing the alarming rates of childhood obesity and diabetes in Monterey County.
Healthy Together’s recent expansion places a premium on the current and future health of Monterey County families with enhanced education and activities, larger and updated teaching spaces, a bilingual participant workbook in Spanish and English, an expansion from four to six education sessions, and more flexible scheduling for families.
“It is staggering how many Monterey County residents are struggling or otherwise impacted by the adverse health effects associated with diabetes and obesity. They’re our friends, neighbors, and family members, and a healthy future for our community depends on initiatives like Healthy Together,” said Liz Lorenzi, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Population Health, Aspire Health.
The flexible, family-focused program is offered in Spanish and English, Monday through Friday, with group class and individual appointment options. The classes and activities offer fun and engaging sessions about topics including goal setting, healthy eating, and physical activity. Highly-trained, certified coaches use pediatrician recommendations and a family-focused approach to inspire lifelong healthy habits.
Recent program modifications have made it more attainable for children and families to create their own, customized wellness journey tailored to their unique health needs, busy schedules, geographic location, and technology capabilities.
"Based on feedback from families and pediatricians, we made these program adjustments with our community’s voice and well-being in mind. Aspire Health firmly believes that this investment will pay off exponentially down the road for our population’s health,” Lorenzi said.
Healthy Together is underwritten by Montage Health Foundation and Salinas Valley Health Foundation, making the program free for families regardless of health coverage status. Enrollment requires a doctor referral and participants must be Monterey County residents between the ages of 2 and 18, meeting at least one of the following criteria:
To get a referral card for your doctor, or to get more information, visit Aspire Health or call (831) 644-7491.
