HEALTHY AMERICA TASK FORCE
To help meet these challenges, Gov. Huckabee has assembled a bipartisan task force of committed governors: Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano,
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Working with the NGA Center for Best Practices, doctors, nurses, practitioners, administrators, business leaders, policymakers, parents and
children, the task force is helping develop necessary tools governors need to make a truly Healthy America.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, NGA Chairman
Gov. Mike Huckabee’s NGA Chairman’s Initiative builds on his Healthy Arkansas initiative by clearly
defining specific areas where behavioral changes can lead to healthier citizens. The burden of chronic
diseases makes Arkansas one of the most unhealthy states in the nation. The governor also launched
an awards program to recognize Arkansas restaurants that offer healthy dining environments and
menu items. And, in the spirit bipartisanship and better health, both Gov. Huckabee and Iowa
Gov. Tom Vilsack completed the Little Rock Marathon in 2005.
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, NGA Vice Chair
Gov. Janet Napolitano’s Healthy Arizona 2010, is a comprehensive, statewide prevention program
designed to improve the health of all Arizonans over the next decade. As part of the program,
cabinet members matched up agencies of similar size to compete in physical activity competitions
and weight loss programs. Given that skin cancer in Arizona is triple the national average, Gov.
Napolitano made Arizona the first state in the nation with a program to teach children in grades
K-8 how to protect themselves from the sun.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is former chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and a lifelong
advocate of physical fitness and healthy living. To encourage Californians to live a healthy and active lifestyle,
he launched the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In September 2005, he will host the
first-of-its-kind Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity, bringing together public and private leaders to
combat California’s obesity epidemic. The governor proclaimed a Women’s Health Month to raise awareness
of women’s wellness and a Public Health Week to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity.
Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack
Each year Gov. Tom Vilsack walks across towns throughout Iowa. During his 2004 walk, he
presented awards to communities who have invested in community attractions, schools and health
care services. As part of the governor’s statewide promotion that healthy lifestyles begin with personal
responsibility, good diet habits and exercise, he participated in the Little Rock Marathon with Gov.
Huckabee in March 2005. The governor also ran the Des Moines Marathon in 2004 and another
one in Storm Lake, Iowa in June 2005.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford
Historically, South Carolina has been one of the unhealthiest states in the country. To change that
perception, Gov. Mark Sanford and First Lady Jennifer Sanford created the Healthy South Carolina
Challenge to challenge communities, counties and families to get healthier by educating them on the
association between physical activity, BMI statistics, smoking rates and chronic disease. In May 2004,
the governor and his family rode bikes across the state to kickoff a Family Fitness Initiative, which
includes a Web site detailing family fun routes and weekly health and fitness tips.
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen
Gov. Phil Bredesen’s Volunteer eHealth Initiative is a technology pilot project to improve the delivery
of health care in southwest Tennessee. The program, which is a partnership between the state and
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is helping to lay the groundwork for better care by providing
a framework for hospitals, physicians, clinics, health plans and other health care stakeholders to
work together to establish regional data sharing agreements for everyone in the Volunteer State.
National Governors Association • Hall of the States 444 N. Capitol St., Suite 267 • Washington, DC 20001-1512 • 202-624-5300 • www.nga.org
NGA9894 healthy : Layout 1
Created: 7/5/05 - 3:40 PM
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
HEALTHY AMERICA: WELLNESS WHERE WE LIVE, WORK AND LEARN
Did you know that poor diet, lack of physical activity and tobacco
use contribute to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans
each year? It's sad, it's scary and it's true. Moreover, many chronic
diseases, including arthritis, diabetes and stroke—diseases affecting
millions of Americans annually—are actually preventable. Perhaps
more troubling, our unhealthy lifestyles are dooming an entire
generation. The facts are simple: More than a quarter of all American
adults are physically inactive and 65 percent are overweight.
Together, we can, and we must, change this dangerous trend.
I know committing to a healthy diet and regular physical activity
can be daunting. Believe me, I appreciate the allure of a jelly donut
and the fear of a treadmill. Like too many Americans, I grew up on fried foods—fried
chicken, fried green tomatoes and even fried candy bars. These deeply battered and overly
processed foods helped my working-class parents stretch their family budget, not to
mention my waistline. As I grew older, my lifestyle only got worse.
Fewer than two years and 110 pounds ago, my doctor diagnosed me with Type 2 Diabetes.
A few weeks later he told me to lose weight, or else. I finally woke up. My initiative,
Healthy America, is about more than ridding ourselves of a few extra pounds; it’s about
embracing a new, healthier lifestyle. It’s about building a culture of physical activity,
prevention and wellness in the United States.
Our society has become sedentary, and our country’s current culture of inactivity and
overeating poses disturbing dangers for our nation’s young people. Today, too many
American adolescents and children spend hours on end watching television, playing video
games and eating junk food. In the last two decades alone, the percentage of overweight
youth in this country has nearly tripled, and the trends are only getting worse. If we are not
careful, this epidemic will threaten the health and well-being of an entire generation of
young people.
The consequences of inaction—for individuals, states and our nation—are incalculable. For
too long, we have focused resources on treating diseases rather than preventing them. From
a public policy standpoint, we must focus more of our efforts on prevention. Mom is right:
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
These are problems affecting us in, and in some cases are caused by, our homes, workplaces
and schools. In these three important areas of life, there are steps we can take toward
healthier lifestyles. We cannot regulate our way out of this obesity crisis and we are not
looking to be the Grease Police or the Sugar Sheriff, but there are things governors can do
to battle this epidemic.
Shaping Up America
Healthy America is about highlighting the simple yet
specific behavioral and lifestyle changes necessary
for sustainable long-term health for children,
teenagers, adults and seniors. By marshalling the
public and private sectors, we can make our
communities, workplaces and schools healthier.
Healthy America will educate people on the need
for lifestyle changes, showing them how to change
and offering incentives for implementing those
changes in their daily lives.
In Our Homes
By performing simple steps like eating meals at
home and taking walks, parents play an integral
role to ensure their children learn the importance
of physical activity and healthy eating. Community
farmer’s markets help those families who lack
affordable access to healthy food choices. State
grants can support the development of supermarkets and fresh food retailers in underserved
urban and rural areas. Governors can implement
family-focused education campaigns to encourage
active living and healthy eating.
At Work
Today’s workforce spends nearly half their waking
hours at the office. Using innovative health promotional activities at work contributes to a healthier
workforce, which is a win-win proposition for
employers and employees. Improving wellness means
fewer sick days, greater productivity and lower health
insurance costs. States can support businesses interestedin providing strategies and incentives to
their employees.
In Our Schools
For America to become healthier, we must raise
healthy children. The responsibility for addressing
the issues of obesity, physical inactivity and tobacco use does not lie solely with schools, but
the education system can play a significant role.
From helping schools provide healthy alternatives to measuring students’ BMI, states can
play an important role in fighting the obesity
epidemic early.
Statistics only begin to tell the story:
• CDC estimates that obesity-attributable
medical expenditures reached $75 billion in
2003, and taxpayers finance about half of these
through Medicare and Medicaid.
• Physical activity can greatly reduce the risk of
many chronic diseases and health conditions,
including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease,
stroke and cancer.
• More than 120 million Americans are
overweight and nearly 59 million are obese.
• Overweight people who are physically active
for 30 minutes a day and have moderate weight
reduction can reduce their chances of diabetes
by 60%.
• Eating fruits and vegetables, rather than other
foods, can make people feel more full while
consuming fewer calories.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
National Governors Association Chairman, 2005-2006
Educating and convincing Americans, young and old alike, about the importance of
changing their behavior and lifestyle so they eat right and become physically active is at
the heart of Gov. Huckabee’s yearlong national initiative as chairman of NGA. Together,
governors are examining ways policymakers can better collaborate with the public and
private sector to promote healthy living programs and support state policies, which
recognize the importance of prevention. Many states have launched innovative programs
to begin building a healthier, more active America. This initiative will equip governors
with the tools necessary to meet these growing challenges. To do that governors can and
must learn from each other if we are to become a healthier and more active country.
• Hawaii launched Start.Living.Healthy. a multimedia educational campaign showing
residents of all ages how to eat better, get active and live without tobacco. With partnerships in the public and private sectors, the initiative helps educate Hawaiian families on
how to start living healthy.
• Kentucky launched Get Healthy Kentucky! to address a range of health issues. The initiative established a blue-ribbon commission to develop a plan to reduce smoking and
illegal drug use in Kentucky, while increasing access to immunizations, dental care
and pre-natal care for families in the Blue Grass State.
• Managed by the Maine Department of Education and Department of Human Services,
Healthy Maine Partnerships has helped tighten tobacco-free school regulations, ban the
sale of soft drinks and candy during school hours, and conduct health education and
smoking cessation programs.
• Nearly a fourth of Michigan high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming
overweight. To combat this problem, Michigan created a school-based program to
help guide health policy changes, including a mandatory 150 minutes per week of
physical education in elementary school and 225 minutes per week in middle and
high school.
• Members who sign up for the South Dakota state employee wellness plan, Healthy
South Dakota, can be reimbursed for $300 of out-of-pocket medical expenses,
exercise equipment and fitness club memberships.
• In Virginia, the Healthy Virginians initiative encourages state employees to get fit and
stay healthy by providing confidential health assessments, free online tracking of
health routines and daily 15-minute walk breaks.
From educating families about incorporating healthy habits at home to offering students
healthy food options at school, there are strategies Americans can employ to change
behaviors and choose happier, healthier lifestyles. First, individuals must take responsibility
for their own health, and parents must take responsibility for their children’s health. If
we don’t act, we may well be raising an entire generation of overweight, inactive and
unhealthy children.
This isn’t a problem we’re going to solve in the next year or even 10 years. But if we don’t
start fighting it now, health care costs will continue to consume more and more of our
public and private budgets, giving us less to spend on public education, crime prevention
and other priorities. That’s why you’ll be hearing a lot about the Healthy America initiative
during the next 12 months. The time for change is now; the journey to a healthier country
begins with you. Join me.
Pathway toward a Healthy America
• To respond to obesity trends, Puerto Rico launched a public health campaign, Salud Te
Recomienda aimed at schools, supermarkets, fast food restaurants and food distributors.
A panel of nutritionists labeled products with a healthy heart symbol based on fat,
saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and fiber content.
Under the Healthy America
Initiative The National Governors
Association will….
problem and discuss solutions for obesity prevention and wellness
promotion for children and adults.
ensure they promote and reward healthy behaviors and have
measurable impacts.
• Hold workshops for state officials to examine state best practices,
including public-private partnerships, and provide state teams with
tools and ideas for implementing programs in their states.
• Provide online toolkits and Web sites to offer families and policymakers,
alike, useful ideas and information about healthy living.
• Raise national awareness of the urgent need for
Americans of all ages to live healthier, more
active lives.
• Conduct site visits to innovative businesses and state and local
programs that are successfully implementing relevant best practices.
• Convene national health and wellness experts,
researchers and practitioners to lay out the
• Explore opportunities for modernizing and improving relevant state
programs—including Medicaid, Food Stamps and child care—to
NGA9894 healthy : Layout 1
Created: 7/5/05 - 3:40 PM
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
• Assist states in developing programs to reverse the national epidemic
of childhood obesity.
• Urge every governor to implement state employee health initiatives as
models for the public and private sectors.
HEALTHY AMERICA: WELLNESS WHERE WE LIVE, WORK AND LEARN
Did you know that poor diet, lack of physical activity and tobacco
use contribute to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans
each year? It's sad, it's scary and it's true. Moreover, many chronic
diseases, including arthritis, diabetes and stroke—diseases affecting
millions of Americans annually—are actually preventable. Perhaps
more troubling, our unhealthy lifestyles are dooming an entire
generation. The facts are simple: More than a quarter of all American
adults are physically inactive and 65 percent are overweight.
Together, we can, and we must, change this dangerous trend.
I know committing to a healthy diet and regular physical activity
can be daunting. Believe me, I appreciate the allure of a jelly donut
and the fear of a treadmill. Like too many Americans, I grew up on fried foods—fried
chicken, fried green tomatoes and even fried candy bars. These deeply battered and overly
processed foods helped my working-class parents stretch their family budget, not to
mention my waistline. As I grew older, my lifestyle only got worse.
Fewer than two years and 110 pounds ago, my doctor diagnosed me with Type 2 Diabetes.
A few weeks later he told me to lose weight, or else. I finally woke up. My initiative,
Healthy America, is about more than ridding ourselves of a few extra pounds; it’s about
embracing a new, healthier lifestyle. It’s about building a culture of physical activity,
prevention and wellness in the United States.
Our society has become sedentary, and our country’s current culture of inactivity and
overeating poses disturbing dangers for our nation’s young people. Today, too many
American adolescents and children spend hours on end watching television, playing video
games and eating junk food. In the last two decades alone, the percentage of overweight
youth in this country has nearly tripled, and the trends are only getting worse. If we are not
careful, this epidemic will threaten the health and well-being of an entire generation of
young people.
The consequences of inaction—for individuals, states and our nation—are incalculable. For
too long, we have focused resources on treating diseases rather than preventing them. From
a public policy standpoint, we must focus more of our efforts on prevention. Mom is right:
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
These are problems affecting us in, and in some cases are caused by, our homes, workplaces
and schools. In these three important areas of life, there are steps we can take toward
healthier lifestyles. We cannot regulate our way out of this obesity crisis and we are not
looking to be the Grease Police or the Sugar Sheriff, but there are things governors can do
to battle this epidemic.
Shaping Up America
Healthy America is about highlighting the simple yet
specific behavioral and lifestyle changes necessary
for sustainable long-term health for children,
teenagers, adults and seniors. By marshalling the
public and private sectors, we can make our
communities, workplaces and schools healthier.
Healthy America will educate people on the need
for lifestyle changes, showing them how to change
and offering incentives for implementing those
changes in their daily lives.
In Our Homes
By performing simple steps like eating meals at
home and taking walks, parents play an integral
role to ensure their children learn the importance
of physical activity and healthy eating. Community
farmer’s markets help those families who lack
affordable access to healthy food choices. State
grants can support the development of supermarkets and fresh food retailers in underserved
urban and rural areas. Governors can implement
family-focused education campaigns to encourage
active living and healthy eating.
At Work
Today’s workforce spends nearly half their waking
hours at the office. Using innovative health promotional activities at work contributes to a healthier
workforce, which is a win-win proposition for
employers and employees. Improving wellness means
fewer sick days, greater productivity and lower health
insurance costs. States can support businesses interestedin providing strategies and incentives to
their employees.
In Our Schools
For America to become healthier, we must raise
healthy children. The responsibility for addressing
the issues of obesity, physical inactivity and tobacco use does not lie solely with schools, but
the education system can play a significant role.
From helping schools provide healthy alternatives to measuring students’ BMI, states can
play an important role in fighting the obesity
epidemic early.
Statistics only begin to tell the story:
• CDC estimates that obesity-attributable
medical expenditures reached $75 billion in
2003, and taxpayers finance about half of these
through Medicare and Medicaid.
• Physical activity can greatly reduce the risk of
many chronic diseases and health conditions,
including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease,
stroke and cancer.
• More than 120 million Americans are
overweight and nearly 59 million are obese.
• Overweight people who are physically active
for 30 minutes a day and have moderate weight
reduction can reduce their chances of diabetes
by 60%.
• Eating fruits and vegetables, rather than other
foods, can make people feel more full while
consuming fewer calories.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
National Governors Association Chairman, 2005-2006
Educating and convincing Americans, young and old alike, about the importance of
changing their behavior and lifestyle so they eat right and become physically active is at
the heart of Gov. Huckabee’s yearlong national initiative as chairman of NGA. Together,
governors are examining ways policymakers can better collaborate with the public and
private sector to promote healthy living programs and support state policies, which
recognize the importance of prevention. Many states have launched innovative programs
to begin building a healthier, more active America. This initiative will equip governors
with the tools necessary to meet these growing challenges. To do that governors can and
must learn from each other if we are to become a healthier and more active country.
• Hawaii launched Start.Living.Healthy. a multimedia educational campaign showing
residents of all ages how to eat better, get active and live without tobacco. With partnerships in the public and private sectors, the initiative helps educate Hawaiian families on
how to start living healthy.
• Kentucky launched Get Healthy Kentucky! to address a range of health issues. The initiative established a blue-ribbon commission to develop a plan to reduce smoking and
illegal drug use in Kentucky, while increasing access to immunizations, dental care
and pre-natal care for families in the Blue Grass State.
• Managed by the Maine Department of Education and Department of Human Services,
Healthy Maine Partnerships has helped tighten tobacco-free school regulations, ban the
sale of soft drinks and candy during school hours, and conduct health education and
smoking cessation programs.
• Nearly a fourth of Michigan high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming
overweight. To combat this problem, Michigan created a school-based program to
help guide health policy changes, including a mandatory 150 minutes per week of
physical education in elementary school and 225 minutes per week in middle and
high school.
• Members who sign up for the South Dakota state employee wellness plan, Healthy
South Dakota, can be reimbursed for $300 of out-of-pocket medical expenses,
exercise equipment and fitness club memberships.
• In Virginia, the Healthy Virginians initiative encourages state employees to get fit and
stay healthy by providing confidential health assessments, free online tracking of
health routines and daily 15-minute walk breaks.
From educating families about incorporating healthy habits at home to offering students
healthy food options at school, there are strategies Americans can employ to change
behaviors and choose happier, healthier lifestyles. First, individuals must take responsibility
for their own health, and parents must take responsibility for their children’s health. If
we don’t act, we may well be raising an entire generation of overweight, inactive and
unhealthy children.
This isn’t a problem we’re going to solve in the next year or even 10 years. But if we don’t
start fighting it now, health care costs will continue to consume more and more of our
public and private budgets, giving us less to spend on public education, crime prevention
and other priorities. That’s why you’ll be hearing a lot about the Healthy America initiative
during the next 12 months. The time for change is now; the journey to a healthier country
begins with you. Join me.
Pathway toward a Healthy America
• To respond to obesity trends, Puerto Rico launched a public health campaign, Salud Te
Recomienda aimed at schools, supermarkets, fast food restaurants and food distributors.
A panel of nutritionists labeled products with a healthy heart symbol based on fat,
saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and fiber content.
Under the Healthy America
Initiative The National Governors
Association will….
problem and discuss solutions for obesity prevention and wellness
promotion for children and adults.
ensure they promote and reward healthy behaviors and have
measurable impacts.
• Hold workshops for state officials to examine state best practices,
including public-private partnerships, and provide state teams with
tools and ideas for implementing programs in their states.
• Provide online toolkits and Web sites to offer families and policymakers,
alike, useful ideas and information about healthy living.
• Raise national awareness of the urgent need for
Americans of all ages to live healthier, more
active lives.
• Conduct site visits to innovative businesses and state and local
programs that are successfully implementing relevant best practices.
• Convene national health and wellness experts,
researchers and practitioners to lay out the
• Explore opportunities for modernizing and improving relevant state
programs—including Medicaid, Food Stamps and child care—to
NGA9894 healthy : Layout 1
Created: 7/5/05 - 3:40 PM
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
• Assist states in developing programs to reverse the national epidemic
of childhood obesity.
• Urge every governor to implement state employee health initiatives as
models for the public and private sectors.
HEALTHY AMERICA TASK FORCE
To help meet these challenges, Gov. Huckabee has assembled a bipartisan task force of committed governors: Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano,
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Working with the NGA Center for Best Practices, doctors, nurses, practitioners, administrators, business leaders, policymakers, parents and
children, the task force is helping develop necessary tools governors need to make a truly Healthy America.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, NGA Chairman
Gov. Mike Huckabee’s NGA Chairman’s Initiative builds on his Healthy Arkansas initiative by clearly
defining specific areas where behavioral changes can lead to healthier citizens. The burden of chronic
diseases makes Arkansas one of the most unhealthy states in the nation. The governor also launched
an awards program to recognize Arkansas restaurants that offer healthy dining environments and
menu items. And, in the spirit bipartisanship and better health, both Gov. Huckabee and Iowa
Gov. Tom Vilsack completed the Little Rock Marathon in 2005.
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, NGA Vice Chair
Gov. Janet Napolitano’s Healthy Arizona 2010, is a comprehensive, statewide prevention program
designed to improve the health of all Arizonans over the next decade. As part of the program,
cabinet members matched up agencies of similar size to compete in physical activity competitions
and weight loss programs. Given that skin cancer in Arizona is triple the national average, Gov.
Napolitano made Arizona the first state in the nation with a program to teach children in grades
K-8 how to protect themselves from the sun.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is former chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and a lifelong
advocate of physical fitness and healthy living. To encourage Californians to live a healthy and active lifestyle,
he launched the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In September 2005, he will host the
first-of-its-kind Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity, bringing together public and private leaders to
combat California’s obesity epidemic. The governor proclaimed a Women’s Health Month to raise awareness
of women’s wellness and a Public Health Week to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity.
Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack
Each year Gov. Tom Vilsack walks across towns throughout Iowa. During his 2004 walk, he
presented awards to communities who have invested in community attractions, schools and health
care services. As part of the governor’s statewide promotion that healthy lifestyles begin with personal
responsibility, good diet habits and exercise, he participated in the Little Rock Marathon with Gov.
Huckabee in March 2005. The governor also ran the Des Moines Marathon in 2004 and another
one in Storm Lake, Iowa in June 2005.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford
Historically, South Carolina has been one of the unhealthiest states in the country. To change that
perception, Gov. Mark Sanford and First Lady Jennifer Sanford created the Healthy South Carolina
Challenge to challenge communities, counties and families to get healthier by educating them on the
association between physical activity, BMI statistics, smoking rates and chronic disease. In May 2004,
the governor and his family rode bikes across the state to kickoff a Family Fitness Initiative, which
includes a Web site detailing family fun routes and weekly health and fitness tips.
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen
Gov. Phil Bredesen’s Volunteer eHealth Initiative is a technology pilot project to improve the delivery
of health care in southwest Tennessee. The program, which is a partnership between the state and
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is helping to lay the groundwork for better care by providing
a framework for hospitals, physicians, clinics, health plans and other health care stakeholders to
work together to establish regional data sharing agreements for everyone in the Volunteer State.
National Governors Association • Hall of the States 444 N. Capitol St., Suite 267 • Washington, DC 20001-1512 • 202-624-5300 • www.nga.org
NGA9894 healthy : Layout 1
Created: 7/5/05 - 3:40 PM
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black