VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
WINTER 2009
Executive Director’s Message
As we have successfully transitioned to the Obama administration,
opportunities for the Alliance for the Healthiest Nation look bright.
Situations and sentiments are aligned. To quote Senator Tom Daschle,
“We have the most expensive healthcare system in the world but are
not the healthiest nation in the world.” And President Obama
envisions a grassroots approach to address many of the health
problems facing his administration and our country.
The Alliance is committed to capturing the views of the diverse, the thoughts of many.
Because we walk our talk, while we are having discussions with the Obama administration we
want to speak on your behalf. We speak with a powerful and unique voice because our
Alliance is made of multi-sector partnerships. It is essential that Obama’s team recognizes
the breadth of the Alliance for the Healthiest Nation. Much more than a public health initiative,
we have ignited support and enthusiasm from a wide range of influential sectors.
With that being said, we are rapidly establishing a transitional board to guide our early
activities. This board will also act as a beacon, signaling to all that we are seeking a
transformation supported by business, public health, Not For Profit organizations, NonGovernment Organizations, faith-based and consumer groups, healthcare providers, and
individuals nationwide.
It is my pleasure to announce that Target has named John Mulligan to serve on our emerging
board. Thanks to Target’s strong support and the multitude of other partners championing the
Alliance, we are positioning ourselves to become an independent self-sustaining organization.
Best Wishes for a happy and successful 2009.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you for believing.
Together we can make the U.S. the healthiest nation in a healthier world.
Nick
Newest Organizational Members Joined Since October 1, 2008
American Social Health Association ~ Bridger Clinic, Inc. ~ Indiana State Department of Health ~ National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke
Prevention ~ Asian Pacific Community in Action ~ Get Fit Tennessee ~ Hamilton County Public Health ~ Michigan Department of Community Health ~
Mid-Atlantic Coalition on Health Care ~ California Depart ment of Public Health ~ Campaign for Public Health ~ Central Michigan District Health
Department ~ Genesee Health Plan ~ Kansas City Health Department ~ Los Angeles Unified School District ~ Merck & Co., Inc. ~ National Network of
Public Health Institutes ~ California State Library ~ Caring for Colorado Foundation ~ Coca-Cola North America ~ Comprendo, LLC ~ East Metro Health
District ~ Employer Health & Human Capital Congress ~ Healthy Places Advisory Committee ~ Jiann-Ping HSU College of Public Health ~ Lorain County
General Health District ~ MD Health Evolution ~ My Brother's Keeper, Inc. ~ National Indian Health Board ~ RJPrincinsky and Associates ~ The Mobility
Education Foun dation ~ Walpole Board of Health ~ Winnebago County Health Department ~ WVRHEP/Winding Roads Health Consortium ~
Massachusetts Department of Public Health ~ North Carolina Division of Public Health ~ Oklahoma State Depart ment of Health ~ Reckitt Benckiser, the
maker of LYSOLｨ ~ State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association ~ Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ~ bWell-informed, LLC ~ Clio Area Regional
Planning Board ~ Embark, LLC ~ Hopewell, LLC ~ New York Business Group on Health ~ Northrop Grumman ~ Barron County Public Health ~ Bradford
County Health Department ~ Clay County Health Department ~ Fitness Plus ~ Flagler County Health Department ~ Miami-Dade County Health
Department ~ Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association ~Collier County Health Department ~ Computer Science Corporation ~ Directors of Health
Promotion and Education ~ Seminole County Health Department ~ Barron County Public Health ~ Sisters Together And Reaching, Inc. ~ The Suddath
Companies ~ University of Rochester ~ WellWorX Sporting Clubs ~ Women Accepting Responsibility ~ Columbus Public Health ~ For Health and
Balance ~ Health at Work Wellness Actuaries ~ Janke Family Chiropractic ~ National Health Ministries ﾐ PC (USA) ~ Capital District Community Gardens
~ HBG, Inc. ~ Mills County Public Health For a complete list of members, please email [email protected]
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
WINTER 2009
PAGE
2
A National Call To Action from the New Administration
“Of the people, by the people” are the words posted prominently on President-elect Obama’s transition website,
change.gov. The site was created to be the source for news, events, and announcements regarding the transition
to the Obama administration. Beyond being a one-way transfer of information, it offers unprecedented ways for
Americans to participate in redefining the U.S. government through blogs, online and offline forums, and videos.
Both President-elect Obama and Senator Tom Daschle, secretary-designate for Health and Human Services, view
health care as a top priority for the new administration and are actively seeking input from all Americans. They
profess a commitment to health care reform “that comes from the ground up,” and are asking individuals to host
health care community discussions in their homes, community centers, or even their local coffee shops. Those
who sign up to host a discussion receive a moderator’s guide and the chance for Senator Daschle to attend their
event.
Senator Daschle recently spoke of his belief in the importance of transparency and ensuring Americans have a
voice in reforming the nation’s health care. He stated, “Transparency is so key. If we are going to do this right, we
have to involve the American people, involve people who have personal stories to tell, ideas to share, real
experiences they can relate to.”
Many Americans echo Senator Daschle’s sentiments of the opportunity for the nation, “This really is perhaps one
of the most important moments in history. I think it ranks up there with 1860 and 1932 as such a transformational
moment. And as a transformational moment it presents real opportunity for major change.”
Our Health Is Our Wealth
The U.S. was founded on the concept of We The People having the unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness – a concept that mobilized the strength and vitality of a tiny nation and unified a disparate and desperate
pack of 13 colonies. Together they became the United States of America, a land built on the promise of opportunity.
The idea that health is a resource needed to translate opportunity to reality is rooted deeply in the nation’s ethos.
The country’s health and well-being allow America and Americans to realize their full potential – a recognition that the
nation’s health truly is its wealth.
The founding members of the Alliance for the Healthiest Nation understand that health is the key to not only physical,
emotional and intellectual well-being, but also to economic strength and national security. Alliance members are
committed to making health and well-being a priority in industry and government, but also for individuals, families,
and communities.
Throughout the nation, streets and sidewalks are unsafe for recreation, public transport is inadequate, safe, fresh,
and wholesome food is not readily available to all residents, current carbon footprints are unsustainable over time,
unemployment is too high, and safe and healthy housing is not universally accessible. This can be changed.
Achieving this goal requires a wide range of collective action across sectors. The Alliance will facilitate that action,
engaging diverse perspectives from organizations and individuals to create a network of people, ideas, policies, and
programs that:
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
WINTER 2009
PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
3
 Create a social movement to improve the nation’s health and well-being
 Activate multi-sector thought leadership to create and lead the transformation
 Disseminate high-impact interventions including tools, best practices, and policies
 Facilitate signature initiatives to increase public awareness and create collective action
 Celebrate successes through recognition and awards for outstanding contributions
The past has taught that Americans working together can stimulate much-needed change. That change is now
needed to improve the physical, emotional, intellectual, and economic well-being of the nation. As Presidentelect Obama recently stated, “If we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also address our
healthcare challenges.”
Member Highlights
 I am now using my drying cleaning bags, as garbage bags. I
just tie the hanger end shut using the bag itself and voila, a
garbage bag!
 I have a stack of tupperware in my care so when I eat out I can
have a reusable "to go box". Also, I know that I should only eat
half of what I am giving because the serving sizes in most
restaurants are waaaaay to big.
Many Alliance members are taking the
pledge to speak out, walk their talk,
share their success and we have
 I no longer buy coffee, unless I have a reusable cup. Having a
mild caffeine addictions, you would be amazed how quick carrying
a cup around with you becomes habit.
 I bought a 'klean kanteen" so I no longer use water bottles.
 I use the stairs more frequently and walk at the very least once a
day all the way up eleven flights of stairs to my office.
highlighted some of our member’s
 I turn the lights-off every where I find an empty room (my parents
would be so proud!).
actions below. We ask all of our
 I have started writing a monthly column about health related
issues in my local newspaper – recently published my second
column.
members to send in their health stories
to be highlighted in this section of the
Alliance newsletter. If you have a
story you would like to share, please
 I am working with a local business to help them institute hand
hygiene awareness.
 I am a member of a team within my health system that created a
hand hygiene awareness campaign.
email us at [email protected].
DON’T FORGET TO SEND YOUR LOGO
TO [email protected]
AND LINK TO OUR WEBSITE!
170
691