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As part of its ongoing Diabetes Seminar Series, the Genesis Health Project Network welcomes the ���ϲ����� community to its “Churches Against Diabetes” programs Wednesday, April 28, at 7 p.m.^��at the��Brotherly Love Church of God in Christ, 1234 S. Salina St. and Friday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m.��at New Jerusalem COGIC, 1641 S. Salina St. The seminars are free and open to the public.��

Both seminars, funded by a CDC Bronx Health REACH grant initiative, will be facilitated by�� K. Bruce Simmons, internist at��SUNY Upstate Medical University. He will discuss diabetes prevention, risk factors, signs and symptoms, screening and early diagnosis, management and legacy concerns.�� Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and share personal experiences.����

“The incidence of diabetes has reached epidemic proportions among African Americans. We believe faith-based health interventions�� are pivotal to raise awareness, enhance knowledge and work towards reducing the high rate of diabetes within African American communities,” says Luvenia Cowart, professor of practice in the ���ϲ����� College of Human Ecology’s Department of Health and Wellness and director of the Genesis Health Project Network.��

Launched in 2004, the Genesis Project is part of a larger minority health initiative in partnership with the , corporate donors, government agencies and other regional partners. The Genesis Project has accomplished numerous milestones in addressing health disparities in African Americans in collaboration with the ���ϲ����� community, including health seminars, fitness programs, educational programs at barber shops, and healthy lifestyle activities with churches and universities.�� In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health honored Cowart and the Genesis Health Project Network for its best practices in eliminating health disparities.��

Funding providers for the Genesis Project include Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Central New York Region; the Rosamond Gifford Foundation; the SU College of Human Ecology; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the New York State Office of Minority Health; the Prevent Cancer Foundation; Wal-Mart Stores Inc.; Wegmans Food Markets; and Amgen Pharmaceuticals. Other collaborating partners include Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County; Family Ties Network Inc.; Onondaga Community College; the New York State Small Business Development Center; and SUNY Upstate Medical University.