Urban Health Fest in Sonipat, India Encourages Healthy Eating

Project HOPE is an implementing partner involved in Project UDAY, an operational research project working to develop a comprehensive program to improve prevention, treatment and optimal management of diabetes and hypertension. The five-year program, funded by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly & Co. aims to reach 400,000 adults in two states in India, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh. Project HOPE is responsible for training the project staff and community health workers and developing patient networks in the community.

Today Project HOPE participated in the Urban Health Fest, which was organized by the local Ministry of Health Department in Sonipat in the state of Haryana. The “Health Fest” sought to generate awareness of factors contributing to good health. About 500 people from the community attended the event. Services available to the attendees included immunizations, diet consultations, blood pressure checks, eye check-ups, medicines and general information about hypertension, TB and diabetes.

Project HOPE organized a live session, Making Healthy Food Choices, using traffic light signal symbols to convey what constituted healthy or unhealthy choices. Food items were separated and displayed. The healthiest food items were placed in the green light zone. Foods to be consumed moderately were placed in the yellow light zone, and food to be consumed just occasionally were put in the red light zone.