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Trust for America’s Health Releases Healthier Americans for a Healthier Economy

November 3, 2011 Comments off

Trust for America’s Health Releases Healthier Americans for a Healthier Economy
Source: Trust for America

Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) released a new report, Healthier Americans for a Healthier Economy, featuring six case studies focused on the relationship between health and economic development. The report examines how health affects the ability of states, cities and towns to attract and retain employers, and how workplace and community wellness programs help improve productivity and reduce health spending.

“High rates of chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, are among the biggest drivers of U.S. health care costs and they are harming our nation’s productivity,” said Jeff Levi, PhD, Executive Director of TFAH, and Chair of the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. “Workplace wellness and community prevention programs are a win-win way to make a real difference in improving our health and bottom line all at once.”

According to the report, more than half of all Americans currently live with one or more chronic disease, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. High rates of these diseases, which in many cases are preventable, are associated with increasing health care costs.

The case studies in the report feature first-hand accounts from business executives, elected officials and public health leaders in Minnesota, Texas, Nashville, Indiana, San Diego and Hernando, Mississippi, where employers and communities are making the connection between improving health and improving the economy.

+ Full Report

Categories: business and economics, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, health and health care, Trust for America's Health

RWJF, Trust for America’s Health Release F as in Fat 2011

July 8, 2011 Comments off

RWJF, Trust for America’s Health Release F as in Fat 2011
Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Adult obesity rates increased in 16 states over the last year and did not decrease in any, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2011, a report from Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The obesity epidemic continues to be most dramatic in the South, which includes nine of the 10 states with the highest adult obesity rates.

For the first time, the report tracks adult obesity rates in each state over the last two decades. Twenty years ago, no state had a rate above 15 percent. Today, more than two out of three states, 38 total, have obesity rates over 25 percent, and just one has a rate lower than 20 percent.

Included in the report are recommendations for how policymakers can make it easier for children and families to be active and eat healthier foods, including:

  • protecting the Public Health and Prevention Fund;
  • implementing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act;
  • implementing the National Physical Activity Plan; and
  • restoring cuts to programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

+ Full Report (PDF)

Categories: children and families, government and politics, obesity, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Trust for America's Health
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