Draft Press Release
For Immediate ReleaseContact:
October 22, 2013
(Name of Organization)Is Taking on a Halloween Challenge and Encouraging its Employees to Find Alternatives to Sugary Drinks
to Take the Fright out of Stroke and Obesity Risk
(Location) (Name of Organization), a health care leader in (Name of Community) is working to encourage its employees to reduce the amount of sugar they drink daily. Sugary drinks have been linked to obesity and increased risk of stroke.
“October is the start of the season of indulgence that tempts us with Halloween candy and follows us all the way to the new year. And while the occasional treat can be part of a healthy diet, as a health care provider, we know that there has to be a balance. Trading in sugary drinks for water and non-sweetened alternatives can balance overall sugar intake and improve health,” person to be quoted.
There is a lot of research linking sugary drinks to obesity in children and adults. But adding to that risk factor is a study published last year from Harvard University andthe Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute linking the consumption of sugar-sweetened and low-calorie sodas to an increased stroke risk.
Marketing data shows that sales of cola drinks are declining but alternatively sales of functional and energy drinks are booming with a 60 percent increase over the past four years. This shows that consumers understand the messaging about sugar and soda but are still consuming too much sugar, just in a different beverage.
In October, as part of Practice Greenhealth’s year of Earth Day challenges, (Name of Organization) (or list a particular department(s)) isencouraging its staff to balance and reduce sugar consumption by choosing sugar-free beverages.
“Small daily changes can add up to huge rewards. Replacing one can of soda with water each day reduces calories by almost 1,000 and sugar by 270 grams each week,” says(person to be quoted). “We want to support a healthy community and this is a simple way to get started.”
Practice Greenhealth hopes its members will take part in the sugar reduction challenge and help reduce the risk of stroke, obesity, and diabetes.
To learn more about the Practice Greenhealth year of Earth Day challenges, visit
About (name of member info here)
About Practice Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the health care community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Our over 1,300 members include hospitals, health care systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of health care to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment. For more information on Practice Greenhealth, the Earth Day Leadership event, healthy initiatives, current trends, news and views and other links to Earth friendly organizations visit