RWJF - Goals Update 2001

The anthrax terrorism that followed the tragic events of September 11th heightened all Americans’ concerns about public safety and public health. In response, the Foundation established a Bioterrorism Working Group to consider what RWJF’s role should be in helping our country prepare for potential future incidents of biochemical terrorism.
There also remain the ever-growing threats to national health and well-being posed by obesity, physical inactivity, diet and environmental hazards, along with tobacco, alcohol and illegal drug use. Following RWJF’s decade-long effort against substance abuse, the Foundation is bolstering its commitment to improving public health through targeted efforts to promote physical activity, enhance social interactions and help strengthen leadership in scholarly fields that are critical to achieving our mission.
Obesity Trends

     Given the dramatic changes in levels of physical activity and obesity over the past 20 years—60 percent of U.S. adults are overweight—getting America active was a priority in 2001. Authorization for up to $17 million led to the development of Active for Life, a national program established at Texas A&M University that includes $8.7 million in grants to increase physical activity in adults age 50 and older. A related $4.3-million grant to AARP will use media and social marketing approaches in selected areas to help motivate adults over 50 to get moving and remain active.
     But regular physical activity can be difficult if the places in which we live, work and play are not designed for safe and easy walking and biking. In response to this challenge, Active Living by Design, a five-year, $16.5-million comprehensive initiative, was authorized to place physical activity at the heart of community design. Strategies include creating partnerships between public health, transportation, parks departments, urban planners, architects, policymakers and others; building leadership and awareness; and developing model programs in diverse communities.
     From physical activity and weight control to healthy eating and quitting smoking, health care providers are important educators and motivators in helping people make healthy behavior changes. “Prescription for Health,” a two-year, $400,000 grant to Church Health Center of Memphis Inc., will train primary care providers to incorporate health behavior changes into routine medical care.
     Ensuring that our children get the support and nurturing they need for a healthy start in life was central to two major initiatives in 2001. A $30-million renewal of our Urban Health Initiative was aimed at improving the health prospects for children living in the most distressed areas of Baltimore; Detroit; Oakland, Calif.; Philadelphia; and Richmond, Va. Strategies are developed and implemented by corporate and community partners in each city and range from injury and asthma prevention to driving down violence and substance abuse. Children’s Futures, a $20-million, 12-year planned initiative in Trenton, N.J., is aimed at improving conditions for children and families so that all children from birth through their early years receive the services and support they need to enter school healthy and ready to learn.
     Studies show that adult mentoring of youth is also a prescription for healthy development for both young and old. Americans are living longer, and the number of people over age 65 has doubled in the past 30 years. The time, talent and wisdom of older Americans are being put into action through a $6.8-million grant to Civic Ventures to expand the Experience Corps Senior Volunteer Program. The program expects to add another 1,600 senior volunteers, who will provide more than 15,000 hours of school-based services to young people.
     Americans’ ability to respond to the current opportunities to improve health requires training today’s leaders and building a cadre of leaders for the future. The Foundation has authorized $1.3 million to plan for a Health and Society Scholars program. The program will foster interdisciplinary training to increase understanding of the influences that determine the general health conditions of our society and how to intervene to affect and improve them.
     Looking to the future, an $8.5-million grant to the College Entrance Examination Board will develop a national awards program for high school students and teachers to attract talented and creative young scholars who will be dedicated to problem-solving using epidemiology, the science that investigates the course diseases and other health conditions take across a population.
     Additionally, a $5.5-million grant made to Research!America will be used to garner national attention and increased funding for research on preventing disease and promoting health.
     In the coming year, the Foundation will continue to build on this exciting new direction, marshaling our resources and energy to enhance leadership, fostering innovation and expanding our knowledge, and heightening awareness of the possibilities for all Americans to enjoy healthier lives.