By Terrance Thornton
Twitter: @ININEWSMAN

If you didn’t know any better, would you lead a healthy life?

For officials at the Health World Organization --- a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization seeking to educate children on healthy habits --- the answer to that question is most likely, “no.”

“Our mission is to promote health and safety education by providing children with the information they need to build healthy lives,” said Scottsdale resident Peter Rusin, Health World executive director. “Since 1995, we have reached over 21 million students throughout the United States, and we have now set our goal of reaching over 100 million by the year 2025.”

Those efforts are occurring right here in Scottsdale, Mr. Rusin says.

“We are proud of our work in Scottsdale where thousands of children have participated in our youth empowerment programs, such as ‘Drive Right’ and ‘Respecting Diversity,’” he said.

“Thousands of children participate in our yearly, ‘Keep Your Health On Track’ event at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Our online programs are a game-changer when it comes to teaching health education. Teachers find them easy to use, with little or no prep time on their part.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention nearly a quarter of American children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are living an unhealthy lifestyle:

• The prevalence of obesity was 18.5% and affected about 13.7 million children and adolescents.
• Obesity prevalence was 13.9% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 18.4% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 20.6% among 12- to 19-year-olds.
• Hispanics (25.8%) and non-Hispanic blacks (22%) had higher obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic whites (14.1%).
• Non-Hispanic Asians (11%) had lower obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics.

The CDC defines obesity as a body mass index at or above the 95th national percentile.

While the facts of unhealthy lifestyles permeate all discussions around American youth, Mr. Rusin contends positive information garners positive results.

“I have always believed that children if given the opportunity, will absorb knowledge and apply it when called upon,” he said.

“Providing health education at an early age gives each child the fundamental building blocks toward living a healthier lifestyle. As you know breaking a habit, good or bad, is difficult. Fostering good habits at a young age will lead to someone who makes good health choices as they grow, and someone who is far less likely to make bad ones.”

It takes a village

Earlier this year, the Scottsdale Charros --- through The Charro Foundation --- provided the Health World Organization a grant for $30,000 to further the reach of its program: Keeping Your Health On Track.

“Foundation funds go directly to support program cost,” Mr. Rusin said.

“Educating our children for a healthier future is so important in addressing the health crisis in America. Too often we see society scramble to deal with health issues after the fact, rather than treating the core issues by giving children the tools necessary to make good health choices.”

Mr. Rusin contends efforts like Health World help provide vital ancillary education to children in all forms of public education.

“Unfortunately, health is not one of the main topics taught in schools, but by having our programs online, teachers and parents are able to easily access relevant and up to date health education on issues effecting today’s society,” he said. “For example, in mid-January we are publishing our first eBook titled ‘Let’s Talk About Vaping, A Guide for Teens on the Dangers of e-Cigarettes and Vape Devices.’”

Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell --- a Scottsdale Charro and member of the Health World Organization Board of Directors --- says the nonprofit’s efforts help bring the community together in a positive way.

“Do I think they have had a positive impact? Certainly,” Chief Rodbell said in response to being asked if efforts make a difference.

“Health World has touched the lives of thousands of area youth, in a number of ways, both positive and educational. Recently, we had a college-level volunteer show up at Horsense, she noticed a picture she had drawn as a fifth-grade student in the office trailer. We had no idea she was coming. A decade after her experience she was returning to share that experience with others, now in fifth grade.”

Alan Rodbell, Scottsdale chief of police

Community support is the name of the game for both the Scottsdale Charros and Health World Organization, Chief Rodbell points out.

“Both Health World and the Scottsdale Charros are dedicated to the health and welfare of our community’s youth,” he explained.

“Through their support of young driver safety initiatives, such as ‘Drive it Right’ and ‘X to Text’ programs and current health safety programs on timely topics such as vaping, marijuana, opioids, tobacco and alcohol. Health World also supports positive programming such as the ‘Safety Smart’ programs and ‘Horsense’ held during the school year, a program that assists young people to develop life skills and confidence through equestrian experiences they would not ordinarily have access to.”