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Press Release

PHA & The Jack and Jill Foundation Issue Call to Action to Combat the Issue of African American Children Disproportionately Affected by Obesity and Diet-Related Diseases

WASHINGTON, DC - Sept. 19, 2019 – September marks National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and the Jack and Jill Foundation today announced a new partnership with Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) to combat the issue of African American children disproportionately affected by obesity and diet-relates diseases. Through this partnership, Jack and Jill Foundation has pledged to support PHA’s efforts through philanthropy and social engagement, highlighted by launching a call to action with a goal of raising $10,000 to reverse the trend of childhood obesity.

The Jack and Jill Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Jack and Jill has been addressing issues affecting African American children and families for more than 50 years, and investing in programs and services that create a strong foundation for children to thrive long-term. Since 2017, the Foundation has invested more than $250,000 to non-profit organizations from California to Florida focusing on connecting children and families to health resources. The purpose of the Foundation’s Heart & Mind grant is to promote healthier lives for African American children and families by providing the necessary resources to reverse health trends disproportionately affecting our children.

All American children are impacted by obesity, but the statistics for African American children are particularly jarring, as:

  • 40 percent of African American and Latino children are overweight or obese compared with 29 percent of White youth.
  • African American children are 73 percent more likely to be obese compared with other groups in the U.S.
  • African American children and teens see 2.5 times more candy ads as white children and overall are disproportionately targeted by junk food ads.

Both Jack and Jill of America Foundation and PHA share a mutual deep understanding and concern for health and wellness and are committed to the goal of reversing the trend of childhood obesity among African American children, who are disproportionately affected by diet related illnesses.

“Jack and Jill of America Foundation is committed to building partnerships with organizations that are aligned with our focus on health disparities in communities of color. Our alliance with PHA is intentional, we want to reverse the indicators that today’s children will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Our investments are ensuring children have access to healthy food, are getting more active and reversing the trend of childhood obesity. In the words of Former First Lady Michelle Obama, “Let’s Move!” says Charles Noble, Jack and Jill of America Foundation Board President.

The best way to lead a long, healthy life free of chronic disease is to eat right and stay active, and through this joint campaign all are encouraged to participate by:

  1. Signing a pledge and uploading a picture here

  2. Eating healthier

  3. Getting active

  4. Making a financial pledge to PHA to reverse childhood obesity.

About Jack and Jill of America Foundation
Jack and Jill Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and has a mission to address issues affecting African American children and families, by investing in programs and services that create a strong foundation for children to thrive long-term. Our Vision is Transforming African American communities, one child at a time. For more information on Jack and Jill Foundation, please visit www.jackandjillfoundation.org and follow the Foundation on Twitter @JJAFOUNDATION and Instagram @jackjillfound.

About Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA)
PHA’s mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to bring lasting systemic changes that improve the food supply, increase healthy choices, increase physical activity and contribute to a culture of health. In 2010, PHA was created in conjunction with Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! effort. PHA identifies, accelerates and celebrates voluntary business practices that improve or increase choice or lead to new norms and behavior around food and physical activity. For more information about PHA, please visit www.aHealthierAmerica.org and follow PHA on Twitter @PHAnews.