SANTA ANA : Health Clinic Has Advice That People Can Sink Teeth Into

Six weeks ago, Lino Darde’s uncontrolled diabetes threatened to rob him of his sight, damage his limbs and shorten his life.

Today, thanks to a program run by Latino Health Access, a local nonprofit health clinic, he changed his diet, began exercising regularly and controlled his illness. Furthermore, Darde, 42, recently joined the program as a community educator and now visits diabetics to explain to them the importance of eating right and staying fit.

“We need people who can learn and pass on this knowledge to others because diabetes is a disease that can be controlled,” he said.

On Tuesday, he and several others who benefited from the organization’s program joined a news conference announcing a drive designed to raise money for additional health brochures and educational materials to combat diabetes.

Under the “Tamales for Health” program, the clinic will sell low-fat, low-salt tamales for $1 to restaurants, bakeries and the public. The goal is to begin a comprehensive health education campaign designed to help residents reduce their risk of illness, including diabetes, heart disease, asthma and tuberculosis.

The need is especially great in the Latino community, where many low-income people cannot afford adequate health care, Program Coordinator Roberto Diaz said. As a result, many do not receive treatment for preventable or controllable illnesses until they are life-threatening.

Darde said clinic professionals and volunteers plan to help those already suffering symptoms of diabetes, but are most concerned with educating people so they never experience symptoms.

To purchase tamales or receive more information, call the clinic at (714) 542-7792.