Art of Skin MD Sponsors First Annual Sunset 5K Run/Walk to Support Diabetes Prevention

The San Diego County Medical Society Foundation (SDCMSF) invites you to run, walk or stroll along the Solana Beach coastline at low tide and sunset on Saturday, September 27th to support Jump Start for Health, a new initiative to prevent diabetes in San Diego County

Registration and a Wellness Expo, showcasing local companies that specialize in healthy living, begins at 4:00 p.m. in Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach. The 5K Run/Walk kicks off at 5:00 p.m. followed by live music from the band, “WHIP.” The top three male and female finishers will receive awards and all participants are eligible for other prizes. The fee is $45 and day of is $49.00. Register online atwww.SB5K.org.

San Diego County Officials will be on hand to deliver proclamations including Honorary Chair, Supervisor Dave Roberts and Nick Macchione, Director of the Health and Human Services Agency. Additionally, Chief Medical Officer of San Diego County, Dr. Nick Yphantides and Dr. Wilma Wooten, Chief Public Health Officer for the Health and Human Services Agency, have formed a team of 20 and will be running/walking to support the cause.

Jump Start for Health was created in response to the increase of patients treated by SDCMSF’s volunteer physicians program, Project Access San Diego. This program provides healthcare services for low-income, uninsured adults, many of whom are suffering from complications of diabetes and heart disease.

Despite ongoing efforts at the primary care level, the number diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes continues to rise, with more than 170,000 San Diego residents (more than 6 percent of the population) living with diabetes, today. More than 4,000 emergency department (ED) visits in San Diego County are associated with diabetes and death and hospitalization rates associated with diabetes continue to rise.

Jump Start for Health is a pilot program designed to improve community health and prevent diabetes in uninsured, at-risk adults who seek treatment at area emergency departments. Medical professionals will provide intervention in an acute care setting, and Jump Start staff will provide personal coaching to adopt healthier lifestyle choices for up to a year. The goal of the program is to assist up to 400 patients in the first three years to modify behaviors and create healthier lifestyle habits, reduce the risk and incidence of diabetes, reduce ED recidivism, and lower healthcare costs.

Event co-chairs Malcolm Williamson and SDCMS Foundation Board member Bob DeSimone, have received enormous support from the community. They are both runners and believe a healthy active lifestyle – prevention versus medication only– is essential.

“Over 25 teams of physicians, their patients and staff have already signed up,” says DeSimone. “The Live Well Lion’s Club and over 30 students from Cathedral High school have also volunteered to help the day of the race.”

Dr. Steve Poceta, a Scripps Neurologist who specializes in sleep disorders, and his wife Lori, a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in diabetes, have put together a team of their own. “My husband sees how poor diet and certain lifestyle choices affect sleep apnea, sleep quality and daytime energy levels,” says Lori.

“We have organized a team that includes staff and patients from his practice who want to help others achieve their life-style and health goals. As President of San Diego County Medical Society, Steve is very proud of the SDCMS Foundation and its’ work to improve public health by collaborating with other physicians, agencies, health care service providers, as well as the “Live Well San Diego” program.

The Sunset 5K Run/Walk is sponsored by Art of Skin MD, Tri-City Medical Center, The Doctors Company and The Doctors Insurance Agency, the County of San Diego, AKT CPAs and Business Consultants, Atlas Nationwide Real Estate, and Yoga Six.

Register today and join in the fun. For more information, call 858-300.2777 or go to www.SB5K.org.

About the San Diego County Medical Society Foundation

Founded by the San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) in 2005 as a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, the San Diego County Medical Society Foundation(SDCMSF) addresses the unmet healthcare needs of low-income uninsured or underinsured San Diego County residents. The Foundation focuses on increasing healthcare access, improving health education and prevention, and supporting physicians and medical students in improving the quality of care in the community. Through its flagship program, Project Access San Diego, SDCMSF has assisted more than 2,600 patients with access to specialty healthcare services. Healthcare partners, including nearly 650 specialty medical physicians, 25 hospitals and surgery centers, and numerous imaging, laboratory and ancillary providers, have provided patients with more than $8.5 million in donated healthcare services. For more information about SDCMSF please visithttp://www.sdcmsf.org.