In order to reduce cardiovascular risks in children through the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, IHF has partnered with the Child Health and Sports Center in Meir Hospital. The Center has proven success treating children who suffer from obesity and other chronic disease. IHF asks for your help in raising our goal of at least $50,000 this year to fund the following programs:

Start Early, Start Healthy - The goal of the program Start Early, Start Healthy is to evaluate the impact of a pioneering exercise and nutrition curriculum for kindergarten-aged children. This is among the first scientific studies worldwide that evaluates the use of exercise as a key component of intervention in children of this age group. (Supported by the Carlos Lindenfeld Memorial Fund)

Program Scholarships - At present, many of those who could benefit from an obesity treatment program cannot afford to participate. Donations in increments of $300 will enable children-in-need to participate in the program for a minimum of 3 months.

Secondary Prevention and Rehabilitation - IHF's flagship program Magen HaLev, established in collaboration with Meir Hospital, has had tremendous success in preventing recurrent cardiac episodes. Our ability to recruit a high percentage of patients into a rehabilitation program stems from our commitment to create a patient-friendly environment and our ability to reach out to patients and their families during their most stressful moments in the hospital. Ongoing research at the rehabilitation center enables us to continually improve rehabilitation practice and techniques.
In 2005, we participated in the launching of Cardionegevi in Beer Sheva, the first and only cardiac rehabilitation center for the entire Negev region. At present, the center treats close to 200 patients a week.

ACCESS: Rehabilitation in the Community - While participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs has been demonstrated to increase exercise capacity, decrease cardiovascular symptoms, improve psychosocial status and decrease total and cardiovascular mortality rates in patients with heart disease, only 2-3% of cardiac patients in Israel partake in hospital-based rehabilitation programs. Reasons for non-participation include age, nature of illness, poverty, distance from facility, depression, and anxiety. In response, IHF has created ACCESS, a community-based pilot program that will offer the weakest and under-served populations ease of access to cardiac rehabilitative care.

Psychological Support- A unique aspect of Magen HaLev is its multidisciplinary team, which includes a rehabilitative psychologist. This enables the team to examine the psychological aspects of recovery including the impact of depression, stress, and certain personality traits such as aggression on the ability of patients to recover after a traumatic cardiac event. Relevant programs, such as support groups or individual counseling, are then initiated to meet the specific needs of the patients.

INSIGHT: Culturally-Sensitive Health Intervention - Arabs in Israel have higher mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes-related deaths than the general population. Arab women are at the highest risk. INSIGHT will investigate the effectiveness of a health program aimed to attain modest weight loss along with engagement in regular physical activity among obese Arab women at high-risk for Type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The health program will be created based on feedback from focus groups, where barriers and possible solutions will be thoroughly discussed. In addition, the study personnel (nurses, dieticians and physical education instructor) will be Arab. The investigators will meet with health promotion specialists, local family physicians and nurses, and community leaders. The study provides an opportunity to gain insight into the feasibility and effectiveness of a health program focused on modifying nutritional behaviors and physical activity in communities that maintain traditional lifestyles.