Logo for Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) partner Gundersen Lutheran Health System.

Gundersen Health System

Commitment

Started on October 6, 2012
3 year commitment

Hospitals are the places we go to get healthy, so the food we eat while there should have a positive impact on our bodies. With this in mind, more than 700 hospital partners across the nation, including Gundersen Health System teamed up with us to make healthier choices easier.

On October 6, 2012, Gundersen joined PHA’s Hospital Healthier Food Initiative, partnering with us on our mission to create dramatic and expansive improvements in hospital nutrition. From committing to display only health-promoting food options in cafeteria and menu advertising, to removing all fryers and deep-fat fried products and placing healthier food options within five feet of the checkout, Gundersen’s changes have the potential to reach many.

“The fact that childhood obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years has health systems like Gundersen concerned. This means that for the first time in our history, American children could face a shorter lifespan than their parents. With our mission focused on improving the health and well-being of our patients, families and their communities, we cannot overlook this problematic trend. As a healthcare organization, we need to lead the way. It is the right thing to do.

~Jennifer Larson, administrative director, Nutrition Therapy, Gundersen Health System

At the time of the commitment, Gundersen cared for approximately 8,500 children and more than 40,500 adults are cared for each year, and through the collaboration with PHA, hoped to impact many lives in a positive way.

More than 700 hospital partners (10 percent of all hospitals nationwide) take part in our Hospital Healthier Food Initiative.

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