First Lady Michelle Obama to Keynote Partnership for a Healthier America’s Second Childhood Obesity Summit

The First Lady, PHA’s honorary chair, will speak on Friday, March 8 at the George Washington University, Lisner Auditorium

WHAT:

The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which works with honorary chair First Lady Michelle Obama and the private sector to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, is convening its second national summit. This two-day conference will bring together philanthropic, government, academia and private sector leaders to discuss real solutions to ending America’s childhood obesity crisis.

WHY:

Millions of American children and families are facing long-term health and social hardships due to an epidemic of childhood obesity that transcends gender, geography, race, and socioeconomic status. Research demonstrates that poor health diminishes academic achievement, reduces global competitiveness, threatens military readiness, and can have sweeping economic ramifications on the United States economy. Today, health care costs to treat chronically ill Americans are projected to reach $6 trillion by 2050—consuming nearly one-sixth of the nation’s 2050 gross domestic product. Ending this crisis will take the collective input and action of many to foster better health, promote academic achievement, drive global competitiveness, and boost military readiness—all of which will offer the nation’s children brighter, healthier futures.

WHO:

PHA Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama will keynote at the PHA-hosted event, which will also feature PHA honorary vice chairs, the Honorable Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, NJ and the Honorable William H. Frist, M.D., former US Senate Majority Leader. Leading decision makers and experts from both the private and public sectors will also be speaking throughout the summit. Specifics can be found here.

WHEN:

March 8, 2013

WHERE:

Lisner Auditorium
George Washington University
730 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20052

CREDENTIALS:

Media interested in covering the Summit should contact Sara Scheineson at 202.842.9001 x 217 or email news@ahealthieramerica.org for credentials.