News Release

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Promotes “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future” in Philadelphia

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K.Galson, M.D., M.P.H., will make a seventh stop on his nationwide tour to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative, which targets overweight and obesity prevention and the promotion of healthy lifestyles for children, on April 03, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pa.

The “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future” initiative focuses on recognizing and showcasing those communities throughout the nation that are addressing childhood overweight and obesity prevention by helping kids stay active, encouraging healthy eating habits, and promoting healthy choices.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to visit communities across the country, like Philadelphia, and meet first-hand with those actively engaged in finding ways to prevent childhood overweight and obesity,” said Dr. Galson.

In Philadelphia, Dr. Galson will be the keynote speaker at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia where he will discuss the Initiative. This event will also feature presentations by Health Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia, Donald Schwarz, M.D., MPH, MBA and Calvin B. Johnson M.D, MPH, Secretary of Health, Commonwealth of Pa. As part of the event he will also meet with key community stakeholders including representatives from business, industry, academia and other local leaders to discuss childhood obesity prevention and learn about existing prevention programs.

According to 2006-2007 data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, only about 38 percent of Pennsylvania high school and middle school students get at least 240 minutes of exercise and physical activity a week. The Pennsylvania Department of Health also estimates that 18 percent of Pennsylvania youth are reported to be overweight.

Additional information on the Surgeon General’s Initiative can be found at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/obesityprevention.html

###

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

###

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: September 04, 2008