Larry: I think many people come to this problem and see it in certain ways that I think are narrower than what the reality is. Can you discuss that at greater length for us? Kelly: We’ve been talking about the scope of the challenge, and Larry, you were going into how it is much broader and deeper than even you anticipated. But we're also going to have to be at this for a while and really build on what people have been working on over the last 10, 15, and 20 years. The depth of the problem is so wide that it leads to a lot of opportunities for us. The problem is much more complex than I ever really knew. Obama and the partnership have laid out – solving the childhood obesity crisis within a generation – is a challenge. I think one of the challenges we have is our ambition. There has generally been strong interest, which has been great for us. We're extremely busy having meetings and talking to companies, ranging from those that make food to those that are not involved in anything related to this issue. I see evidence of that through the increasing interest that we are getting from the private sector. I think this effective use of her bully pulpit has helped the work that Jim and I are doing here. Obama’s focus on the issue has really deepened the understanding of people and companies and other players across the world about the child obesity problem. Larry Soler: In terms of the challenges and the surprises, one of the surprises has been the extent that Mrs. Could you talk about what the surprises have been and what you think the biggest challenges are? Some might say this represents a different direction for you – definitely one that those of us that know you well are very excited about. Kelly: Larry, you have quite a background in policy work in Washington given all the strides you made on the policy front in the JDRF. The role that we play at the Partnership for a Healthier America is to engage the many private organizations, industries, advocacy groups, and service organizations that we will need to collaborate with in this effort. Those are broad areas and they represent what it's going to take, at a minimum, to drive a change in childhood obesity. They include: 1) create a healthy start on life for our children, from pregnancy through early childhood 2) empower parents and caregivers to make healthy choices for their families 3) healthier nutrition in school 4) increased access to physical activity and 5) the elimination of “food deserts” so that people can have access to more healthy foods. And for that, they have devised five pillars in the Let's Move! initiative, which are the underlying theme of the movement. James Gavin: As you know, the First Lady has made a commitment to reducing childhood obesity within a generation and changing the slope of the line where our children are in the obesity curve. To start, can you help us understand what you're trying to accomplish and what you see as the major goals of the First Lady’s initiative to reduce childhood obesity?ĭr. Gavin, we really appreciate you joining us. overview of the partnership for a healthier america During the interview, they described how they try to convince companies to collaborate with their organization, how quickly they hope to bring on new partners, and why they think the organization will survive even after Michelle Obama is no longer First Lady. Gavin is currently CEO & Chief Medical Officer of Healing Our Village, Inc. Soler was Chief Operating Officer at JDRF, and Dr. We recently sat down with Larry Soler, President and CEO of the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), and James Gavin, MD, PhD, the Chairman of the PHA Board of Directors. Wal-Mart, for example, will work with its suppliers to eliminate the price disparity between healthy and unhealthy foods, as well as reduce sugar and sodium content in packaged foods by 2015. It has recently announced relationships with Wal-Mart, Bright Horizons, a few of the country’s largest grocers, and several small, innovative ones. PHA is primarily focused on reducing obesity through collaborations with the private sector and other organizations, and it’s off to a great start. ![]() Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) is a new, nonpartisan organization started in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative against childhood obesity. By lisa vance, joseph shivers, and kelly close
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