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Building a Healthier America: Beyond Healthcare

This article explores the health crisis in America, the reasons behind it, and the need to look beyond healthcare to improve the health of all Americans. It discusses the commission's goals and objectives, as well as its approach to raise awareness and inspire meaningful steps towards improved health for all.

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Building a Healthier America: Beyond Healthcare

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  1. Health is Where You Live, Learn, Work and PlayLooking Beyond Health Care to Improve the Health of All Americans Alliance for Health Reform May 15, 2009

  2. America’s Health Crisis We spend more on health care than any other country • $2,000,000,000,000 a year • 17% of national economy...and growing • $1 Trillion increase in health care spending over the last decade But, we are not the healthiest people • For the first time, we are raising a generation of children who may live sicker and shorter lives than their parents • 1 in 3 Americans are obese • Nearly 17 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes • Nearly 2,400 Americans die from heart disease every day • 1 in 2 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime • Nearly 1 in 10 children have asthma

  3. Why are some Americans so much healthier than others? Why isn’t America one of the healthiest nations in the world? Commission Charge

  4. Why a Commission? • Raise visibility for the issue • Expand the dialogue on health • To non-medical factors • To social factors • Develop fresh ideas & solutions • Make recommendations Increase understanding Motivate action Move to solutions

  5. Why Now?Timing is Right: Changes in Washington and National Discussion on Health Reform Presents a Window of Opportunity to Broaden the Conversation Lack of awareness about the problems and lack of policy action Little distinction between health and health care Strong feeling that individuals are responsible for their own health Need a bridge between ideological and political differences; fresh approach may appeal to both parties

  6. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build A Healthier America Commission Goals and Objectives • Raise awareness of shortfalls in Americans’ health and highlight promising interventions beyond medical care to improve health and longevity • Recommend policy interventions – public and private – to improve Americans’ health both in the near and longer term • Inspire confidence and public will to take meaningful steps towards improved health for all Americans

  7. A Solid Infrastructure for Research, Action and Outreach Board and Staff Central OfficesGWU Department of Health Policy Research Arm UCSF Center on Social Disparities in Health Communications Partners • Burness Communications • Health360Strategies

  8. Commission Approach Raise awareness and identify areas for action by: • Target decision-makers in public and private sector • Reach beyond health care to non-traditional allies and advocates • Make academic research on social inequalities more accessible to public and private sector policy makers • Conduct work in a resolutely nonpartisan fashion • Design a plan that is sustainable, flexible and relevant

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