Making the choice to drink a healthy beverage over an unhealthy one can dramatically impact our overall health. In fact, the single biggest source of excess calories is what we drink. To minimize the risks of health problems associated with obesity and diabetes, partners of the #Not62 – The Campaign for a Healthy Bronx joined forces to launch the Bronx Healthy Beverage Zone (HBZ) to help organizations create an environment that motivates co-workers, clients and neighbors to ditch sugary beverages and promote healthy drink options.

Led by Dr. Vanessa Salcedo, the initiative models Union Community Health Center’s SSB (sugar-sweetened beverage) Free Zone, where one small change has helped the organization in encouraging wellness not only among UCHC’s employees, but their patients as well. Ultimately, the goal of the Bronx HBZ is to champion the borough to take back their health by making healthier beverage choices!

The Bronx HBZ project concentrates on furthering positive health outcomes throughout the Bronx and decreasing the number of chronic diseases that Bronxites develop as a result of consuming sugary beverages.

How can an organization/business become a Healthy Beverage Zone?

Once an organization makes the decision to become Healthy Beverage Zone (HBZ), the HBZ team will work with them to accomplish the following steps:

1. Evaluate of the worksite.

2. Inform & engage employees via education and the promotion of healthier behaviors/beverage choices.

3. Identify an HBZ champion at each worksite.

4. Assess the impact on employees & other stakeholders at work site.

To ensure that the transition to an HBZ is seamless, the HBZ team is developing a step-by-step guide to support your organization’s next-steps in making the internal changes necessary to become an official HBZpartner.

For more information about becoming an HBZ partner, contact:

Fernando Tirado, Director of New Initiatives Center for Health Equity, NYC DOHMH: [email protected]