In an effort to spur action at the local level to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is expanding a landmark national program to create communities where children and their families have access to healthy, affordable foods and safe places to play and exercise. Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities —one of the Foundation’s largest and most ambitious community-action initiatives ever— is a cornerstone of RWJF’s $500 million commitment in childhood obesity prevention.  

  A total of 50 sites in more than half of the states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are being funded through this program to craft innovative solutions aimed at helping children and families lead healthier lives.  Nine communities were named as lead sites in 2008 and now 41 additional sites will each receive a four-year grant of up to $360,000.  All of the targeted neighborhoods have a significant obesity problem exacerbated by such issues as high unemployment and poverty, crime, dangerous traffic, too few grocery stores and aging, broken or insufficient infrastructure.  But each of the sites will be working on unique solutions that work best for their communities.

Please visit the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities website for the complete list of the sites, descriptions and contact information.
www.healthykidshealthycommunities.org