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PROCLAMATION: STOCKTON DIABETES AWARENESS DAY
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RECOMMENDATION
Present the Stockton Diabetes Awareness Day Proclamation to The Organizing and Leadership Academy (TOLA).
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Summary
From mid-July to the end of October 2017, The Organizing and Leadership Academy (TOLA) conducted a health survey in Stockton on the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and their effects on the health of residents. A report of TOLA’s surveys was presented at the November 7, 2017 City Council Meeting.
The survey found that 36% of young adults in San Joaquin County between the ages of 18-39 have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes. Studies have shown that people who drink 1 or 2 sugary sweetened beverages per day have a 26% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes; 1 in 3 children will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetimes due to the consumption of sugary sweetened beverages and chances are higher for Latino and African American children, where 1 in 2 will develop type 2 diabetes.
The City of Stockton supports Diabetes Awareness to promote healthy living, diabetes education, physical activity and community resources in support of these activities.
The almost 6,000 surveys found that nearly 40% of respondents consumed sugar sweetened beverages daily and that over 60% reported having a history of diabetes in their family. Notably, the surveys also found that 77% supported a potential soda tax to fund health education and prevention programs in Stockton.
In June 2018, efforts led by the American Beverage Association and its members resulted in the passage of California Assembly Bill 1838, a bill opposed by numerous health and local government organizations, including the League of California Cities. This legislation established a statewide moratorium on soda taxes, impacting local control and limiting potential revenue sources that could otherwise fund health education and prevention programs to combat diabetes.