Loma Linda University Health hosted its 42nd annual “Healthy People in Healthy Communities” conference March 9-11, which challenged participants to “actively live your best life” — the event’s theme — and featured experts who revealed the latest findings on whole health, the paths to and benefits of greater happiness, the role of the physical environment on health, and healthy aging.
Nearly 400 people attended the three-day conference, which devoted a day each to the role of technology, exercise as medicine and happiness.
There were morning group exercise classes prior to the sessions, a health expo mid-day featuring over 30 exhibitors and healthy cooking demos, free health screenings, book author signings, a speakers mix-and-mingle reception and an evening symposium on the connection between faith and health. The conference was open to the public, and attendees were able to earn continuing education credits.
Present at the event were inspiring individuals who have overcome major health issues and taken action to transform their lives. Short videos on four individuals were shown at the conference, including one on Tom Zapara, a 91-year-old philanthropist and retired businessman with diabetes who is now in control of his condition.
Speakers included Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president, Loma Linda University Health; Robert Sallis, MD, chair of the Exercise is Medicine Advisory Board; Nick Buettner, community and corporate program director, Blue Zones, LLC; Lee S. Berk, DrPH, associate professor, School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University Health; Karyn Buxman, MS, neuro-humorist; Sam Soret, PhD, associate dean for research and executive director, Center for Community Resilience, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University Health; plus many other distinguished experts.
A panel titled “State of the Inland Empire: Health Care & Prevention” gave the public health picture of the region, in which roughly one in four residents receive care through Medi-Cal, the state’s insurance program for lower-income individuals.
Hart spoke passionately about Loma Linda University Health’s commitment to whole health and to serving all people in the region regardless of their income level. He talked about his institution’s $68-million San Bernardino campus project, which will provide clinical services and health care classes.
Hart’s comments about how the project, currently under construction, will provide “more education, jobs and health care services” to an area in dire need brought strong applause from conference attendees.
One enthusiastic attendee was Bonnie Johnson, a retired publications editor, who has regularly come to the annual conference for decades. Johnson, who is in her 70s, agreed that some of the main keys to longevity are good nutrition and physical activity, repeating the line that “being sedentary is the new smoking.” She said the annual event is always informative and inspiring to individuals and health care professionals, who can, in turn, “spread the health message to others.”
More event information can be found on the conference’s website: www.HealthyPeopleConference.org