The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has joined several of its long-time collaborators in creating healthier schools and communities to establish an independent, nonpartisan organization that will expand and accelerate their work to prevent childhood obesity.

The Partnership for a Healthier America was announced at the White House as First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled her Let’s Move campaign to reverse the country’s epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. The partnership aims to accelerate progress around four specific goals:

• Offering parents the tools and information they need to make healthy choices for their kids.
• Getting healthier food into our nation’s schools.
• Ensuring that all families have access to healthy, affordable food in their communities.
• Increasing opportunities for kids to be physically active, both in and out of school.

The primary role of the Partnership for a Healthier America will be to convene members, obtain commitments that will advance progress toward the four goals and track the impact of those commitments. The partnership will not develop programs, engage in grassroots organizing or award grants.

RWJF is pleased to join with The California Endowment, Kaiser Permanente, Nemours, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in launching the new organization. The First Lady will serve as honorary chair.