RWJF Commits $500 Million to Reverse Childhood Obesity

April 04, 2007 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

by Jean Saunders, HSC School Wellness Director

Healthy Schools Campaign applauds the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and its president and CEO, Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, for taking a very big and bold step today with their commitment of $500 Million to support research and programs to combat obesity.

“It is one of the largest public health initiatives ever tried by a private philanthropy,” reports The New York Times.

RWJF puts it very simply:

Childhood obesity affects all of us — every race and ethnic group, all income levels and every area of the country. It’s going to take all of us — government, schools, food and beverage companies, health care providers, families and other foundations — to turn the tide.

Read an interview with Dr. Lavizzo-Mourey at the RWJF website, in which she explains the thinking behind the Foundation’s five-year, $500-million commitment to reverse this epidemic. She also spoke with NPR’s “Morning Edition” — listen to the interview here.