Fundraising Obesity Campaign
Miami, Florida. October 27, 2006
News Release.

Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) participated in a launching of a Fundraising Obesity Campaign hosted by Don Francisco, Internationally known television personality, named Pan American Health Organization "Champion of Health" for his support of public health.

The event brought together some personalities of the Region whose joint efforts are fighting obesity in the Americas: Lic. Roberto Slim, Member, Board of Directors, Grupo Carso; Dr. Enrique Jacoby, Regional Advisor on Nutrition, PAHO; Dr. Julio Licinio, Chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Dr. Juan Rivera, Founding Director, Center for Research in Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico; Dr. Derek Yach, Director, Rockefeller Foundation Program on Global Health; and Mr. Carlos Martinez (FOX Latin Channels)
Read more about Panel Participants

Oppenheimer Presenta TV show.
The obesity epidemic in Latin America and what can be done.

As part as the Obesity Campaign: "Let's eat healthy, live well and get moving America" that PAHO is developing in the Region, Dr. Roses and Dr. Jacoby appeared on a television program named "Oppenheimer Presenta", focused on the issue of the emerging obesity epidemic in Latin America. The themes discussed included framing the seriousness of obesity in Latin America and who is affected; its origin and cause; what is not being done and how PAHO leads the efforts in the Region against obesity. The PAHO panelists presented a good case on the importance of the obesity epidemic in Latin America and the urgent need for action.

Dr. Roses' interventions were on target with clear understanding and firm command of the issues being discussed, making clear that it is time to act and highlighting the importance of PAHO's leadership role.

"Oppenheimer Presenta" is one-hour political-cultural debate show that is broadcast in 17 countries including Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela and various cities in the U.S. reaching approximately 57 million homes.

First Communication Campaign Dinner

Let's eat healthy, live well and
get moving America!
PAHO's communication campaign

The first of several informal encounters and dinners with key public health "influential people" and entrepreneurs to discuss PAHO's communication campaign, Let's eat healthy, live well and get moving America! was organized by PAHO and hosted by the campaign's spokesperson, Don Francisco.
Don Francisco, PAHO Team Up To Fight Obesity English / Spanish

The purpose of this evening gathering was to present PAHO's unprecedented communication campaign and elicit from attendees comments and suggestions for its roll out phase. Attendees included Dr. Derek Yach (Rockefeller Foundation); Mr. Roberto Slim (Grupo Carso, México); Dr. Julio Licinio (University of Miami); Mr. Carlos Martinez (FOX Latin Channels); Dr. Juan Rivera (National Institute of Public Health, Mexico); and Drs. Mirta Roses and Enrique Jacoby (PAHO/WHO).

Dr. Roses addressed the importance to support the campaign as part as PAHO's role promoting active and healthy lifestyles for people in the Americas as a public health priority.

As result of the meeting all attendees endorsed the campaign and commitment to support the PAHO's obesity campaign. Mr. Martinez, FOX Latin Channels' representative, proposed that FOX's networks can run public service announcements.

Dr. Yach, Director, Rockefeller Foundation Program on Global Health, also proposed to serve as a conduit for organizations that can help further the campaign's fundraising goals.