FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 8, 2001

CONTACT: David Ong
(916) 734-9049
daong@ucdavis.edu

--MEDIA ADVISORY--
UC DAVIS DOCTORS TEACH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ABOUT THE HEART, VALUE OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

WHAT --A second-year pediatrics resident from UC Davis Medical Center will be teaching students at Tahoe Elementary School about the anatomy of the heart and circulatory system, and how to keep it healthy through proper nutrition, exercise and avoiding tobacco, using the American Heart Association's "heart power curriculum."

WHEN -- 9 a.m. Monday, March 12.

WHERE --Tahoe Elementary School, 3110 60th St.

WHO -- Michael Myette is receiving specialty training in pediatrics at UC Davis Medical Center. He and other pediatrics residents have been teaching students in the third and fifth grades at five different elementary schools in Sacramento during the school year. The students receiving the lessons today are in the fifth grade.

BACKGROUND -- The idea underlying the lessons is that lifestyle habits are formed in childhood. If children can be influenced to develop good ones at an early age, they greatly improve their chances of reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease as adults. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

VISUALS-- Myette will lead the children in jumping rope and other exercises and let the students use stethoscopes to listen to their hearts.