02/12/09

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation Launches New Healthcare Initiative to Combat Childhood Obesity

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 12, 2009

Media contacts: 

Laura Gross
Office: 202/265-5383
Cell: 202/255-2054
lgross@scottcircle.com

Jennifer Starkey
800/877-1600, ext. 4802
media@eatright.org

Alliance for a Healthier Generation Joins Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina along with American Academy of Pediatrics and American Dietetic Association
Press Conference with Former President Bill Clinton and Dr. Tim Gardner, President of American Heart Association, to Announce Initiative Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern)
First Time Insurance Companies and Corporations Collaborate to Stop Epidemic

NEW YORK—The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, will unveil the Alliance Healthcare Initiative, a collaborative effort with national medical associations, leading insurers and employers to offer comprehensive health benefits to children and families for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of childhood obesity.

WHO:
  • Former President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation
  • Tim Gardner, M.D., FAHA., president of the American Heart Association and medical director, The Center for heart and Vascular Health at Christiana Care Health System (DE)
  • Ronald A. Williams, chairman and CEO of Aetna
  • Dr. David T. Tayloe, Jr., president of American Academy of Pediatrics
  • A representative from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
  • Don Bradley, M.D., chief medical officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
  • Martin M. Yadrick, MS, MBA, RD, FADA, president of the American Dietetic Association
WHAT:   Former President Bill Clinton and Dr. Tim Gardner will speak about the Alliance Healthcare
Initiative and then will take questions from the media, along with representatives from organizations mentioned above.
WHERE: William J. Clinton Foundation — 55 West 125th Street; New York, New York 10027
**Media will be greeted in the lobby of the building and escorted to press conference location.**
WHEN: Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern)
Media must arrive no later than 10:30 a.m.
RSVP:  Media who wish to attend must RSVP to Laura Gross, Office: 202/265-5383, Cell: 202/255-2054, lgross@scottcircle.com no later than Wednesday, February 18, 2009. Please include name, media outlet, phone number and e-mail address of each person attending.
DIAL-IN:  For reporters not able to attend the press conference, there will be a conference line available. This will be a “listen-only” line and members of the media will not be able to ask questions. Phone number: 866/410-8253, passcode: 2889948467

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