An organization is promoting a new project in the Bronx after an annual report ranked the borough as the unhealthiest county in New York.

The Union Community Health Center has launched the ‘healthy beverage zone’ project. The project encourages schools, organizations and business to remove sugar-sweetened beverages and foods from vending machines.  

“The healthy beverage zone is a Bronx borough wide movement to promote healthy beverages for all of us who visit and live in the Bronx,” says Dr. Vanessa Salcedo, director of community health promotion at the UCHC. 

UCHC officials promoted the project at Hostos Community College with an event that provided information about the benefits of kicking the sugar habit.

"This institution was founded in part to address the healthcare needs of the community,” said Hostos Community College President David Gomez. “It's important that we take an active role in this and support the effort."

Clarisa Alayeto says she was diagnosed with diabetes back in August and is encouraging others to get healthy.

"You want to be able to be here for a long time, and the only way we can do that is by taking care of ourselves first,” she says.

Alayeto says she is documenting her progress using the #not62 to inspire others.