Healthy youth for a healthy future

The Surgeon General's priorities include public health preparedness, disease prevention, elimination of health disparities and improving health literacy with a specific focus is on children's health. The three current initiatives on which the Surgeon General has been focused over the past year include childhood overweight and obesity prevention, preterm birth prevention and the prevention of underage drinking.

The Department of Health and Human Services' initiative lead by the Surgeon General is the Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Initiative. The key messages are:

• Health Kids Stay Active

• Encourage Health Eating Habits

• Promote Healthy Choices

National statistics show that childhood overweight prevalence has nearly tripled for children ages 6-11 since the 1980's. Today approximately nine million children are overweight. They are at a greater risk for numerous disease including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Other child public health issues will be presented and discussed during this presentation. By creating visibility, synergizing efforts, and building upon existing partnerships-both public and private-we can promote an overall healthy lifestyle for all children and ultimately for our future.