San Clemente, Calif. (July 1, 2009) - Metagenics, Inc. announced today that its Chief Science Officer, Jeffrey Bland, PhD, FACN, CNS has been appointed to the Advisory Board of HealthCorps®, a 501(c)(3) non-profit “Peace Corps” for health education and activism founded in 2004 by cardiac surgeon and best-selling author, Dr. Mehmet Oz..

As a member of the Advisory Board, Dr. Bland joins a distinguished group of health experts, public officials and philanthropists who share the mission of finding proactive, practical solutions to fighting childhood obesity and diabetes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 percent of high school students are obese and at high risk to develop type 2 diabetes or other serious diseases.

To deliver its curriculum, HealthCorps relies on a team of “Coordinators”—recent college graduates who have deferred medical school or graduate health programs in order to participate in public service. Each Coordinator works within his or her community to:

• Deliver school-based health education and mentoring, as well as community events and outreach to undeserved populations
• Empower teens to become educated consumers and health activists
• Encourage students to develop positive behavioral shifts that will enhance their self-esteem and mental resilience

Since 2004, HealthCorps has spread from a single school in New York City to an extensive network of 44 schools on both coasts.

“I’m honored to be associated with such an admirable organization as HealthCorps,” said Dr. Bland. “Their enthusiasm and achievements are a bright light in the battle against childhood obesity and lifestyle related chronic diseases.”