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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Laredo, TX— As we welcome the New Year, the City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) wishes everyone a happy and healthy 2013. A great way to start caring for ourselves and one another is through our Healthy Living/Viviendo Mejor (HLVM) program, a disease self management and family support program that has made a difference in diabetes disease self management by focusing on diabetes prevention. “We have conducted five cycles with a series of 10 sessions each and over 250 persons have participated. We have seen very positive outcomes such as decreased glucose, hemoglobin A1C, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, which are a sign of a decreased risk of diabetes,” said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez, Director of Health.

 The HLVM program targets persons at risk of diabetes, diabetics and their families and teaches how to improve life styles and make healthier choices to avoid serious complications like kidney and heart disease. The HLVM Program’s goal is to prevent and control diabetes by encouraging changes such as healthy eating and exercising.

 The first session of the year starts Wednesday, January 9, 2013. It will be HLVM Program’s 6^th Cycle and we are seeking sixty (60) persons to enroll. This is a very unique family and community approach to address the risk of developing diabetes and its complications. HLVM helps persons take control of their chronic disease or risk factors through education, such as how to deal with the disease, reduce risks, cook healthier and increase fitness activities with peer support activities.  Past participants have commented that what they learned during this program was life changing! 

 These free interactive sessions are being offered to persons with diabetes, their family members and the general public. Everyone who participates receives free diabetes laboratory testing. Door prizes are available to those that complete the sessions.