Nemours had a strong presence at the Partnership for a Healthier America Summit held November 29-30, in Washington, with Board Chair John Lord and Debbie Chang, VP, Policy and Prevention, in participatory roles. First Lady Michelle Obama closed the summit, urging attendees to “innovate, inspire and invest” to help children lead active, healthy lives. Read more.
First Lady Makes Capstone Speech at PHA Summit
Nemours Office of Child Health Policy and Advocacy
Nemours leads as a model of health policies and programs that seeks to transform our country’s health care system from a focus on sickness to a focus on wellness. And we’re using our expertise to contribute to the advancement of national health policies that improve the health of all children, not just the children we directly serve.
Based in Washington, D.C., the Nemours Office of Child Health Policy and Advocacy will build on the expertise of Nemours to advocate for:
- Policies to promote integrated systems of medical care and population-based prevention initiatives
- Improvement in healthy eating and physical activity standards for children, particularly in child care settings
- Increased federal funding for community-based obesity prevention initiatives
Moving Ahead in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity
Nemours is one of the founding members of the Partnership for a Healthier America whose Honorary Chair is First Lady Michelle Obama. Together we’re supporting America’s move to raise a healthier generation of kids. Find out more about this important partnership.
And there’s the positive news about childhood obesity levels in Delaware as reported by the respected health policy journal, Health Affairs. Learn more.
The First Lady has recognized Nemours and the other founding members of Partnership for a Healthier America. Read what the First Lady and Senator Bill Frist said during the special conference call.
Nemours Briefing on Obesity Prevention in Early Care and Education
Dr. Sanda Hassink speaks in support of at the Child Nutrition reauthorization bill at the Capitol. Flanking Dr. Hassink are Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind) and Sen Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark).
Nemours hosted a Capitol Hill briefing on obesity prevention in early care and education in Washington, DC. The briefing was held in partnership with U.S. Representatives Mike Castle (R-DE) and Marcia Fudge (D-OH). A standing room only crowd of more than 100 Hill staffers heard from the CDC leader on obesity, Dr. Bill Dietz, from Debbie Chang about the work of Nemours, and from Geri Henchy, a nutrition advocate. The proceedings from Nemours' 2009 Healthy Kids, Healthy Future conference were distributed to attendees. Following the briefing, a press conference took place to support the swift passage of the Child Nutrition reauthorization bill, which would expand eligibility and improve nutrition for students in school as well as those in after-school and child care programs. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), one of six senators who advocated for the bill, was vocal about Nemours' efforts in Delaware to improve child health. Dr. Sandra Hassink, Director of the Nemours' Obesity Initiative, spoke on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics about the urgency of addressing childhood obesity through policy.
Delaware Lt. Governor Matt Denn Speaks to Nemours
In July, at Nemours Health and Prevention Services in Newark, Lt. Governor Matt Denn spoke to a group of experts in child health programs and policy from across the U.S., including Nemours staff. The gathering was convened by the Nemours Policy Office (in Washington, D.C.) to continue a dialogue and share information and best practices in healthy child development across sectors (schools, health care, child care, government and nonprofits).
Lt. Gov Denn has been a champion of children’s issues in the state of Delaware, pushing for increased enrollment in SCHIP, Medicaid, and the free and reduced school lunch program, and for mandated coverage for developmental screenings and expanded lead screenings for kids. He urged participants to “turn up the volume” on children’s issues in their home states in order to effectively compete with the many other large and influential interest groups seeking legislative support. He called for building the infrastructure of organized children’s lobbies at the state and federal levels, represented by knowledgeable, motivated advocates for kids.
Contact Us
Nemours Office of Child Health Policy and Advocacy 1201 15th Street NW, Suite 350 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 457-1440 Fax: (202) 898-2583
Debbie I. Chang, MPH
Vice President of Policy & Prevention
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If We Care About Kids, Let’s Act Now, Not Respond Later
Learn more about Nemours Vice President of Policy and Prevention Debbie Chang's, and Richard Christopher's, Vice Chair of Nemours, opinion on the importance of prevention funds during the current Federal budget crisis.