"Partnerships are critical. Reversing childhood obesity will take all of our collective energies--that of parents, teachers, schools, and government. We need to work at a grand level. Dedication and action must follow our words. Failure is not an option."
--The Honorable Mike Johanns, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, addressing the Healthy Schools Summit
In September 2005 more than 550 experts in education, fitness and children's health gathered in Washington, D.C. for the second national Healthy Schools Summit to explore and share innovative approaches to creating healthier school environments across the nation.
Hosted by Action for Healthy Kids, Raising the Bar: New Challenges, New Opportunities focused attention on how to build upon the great progress that has been made since Action for Healthy Kids was launched at the first Healthy Schools Summit in 2002. As with the first Healthy Schools Summit, former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher opened the 2005 event, while First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush served as Honorary Chair.
Distinguished speakers included Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN); U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns; Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA); and Duane Alexander, MD, Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Senior Medical Correspondent, was a keynote speaker and moderated a candid dialogue between representatives of industry, government, education, health and philanthropy. See the agenda for a full listing of speakers.Highlights of the 2005 Summit included:
- Action for Healthy Kids Teams shared lessons and best practices.
- Action for Healthy Kids released results of a national survey designed to understand parents' beliefs and expectations relative to wellness practices in their children's schools. The survey uncovered a significant gap between parental expectations and what is really happening at school. For a full report of the survey, click here.
- Representatives from private industry, philanthropy, the media, and government discussed the available resources and programs they have available to help.
- Public and private stakeholders engaged in an open discussion about opportunities to combat childhood obesity, as well as constraints and limitations.
To see video highlights of the Healthy Schools Summit 2005, click [High Resolution] [Low Resolution].
To see the Healthy Schools Summit 2005 opening video, click [High Resolution] [Low Resolution].
View the Healthy Schools Summit 2005 agenda to learn more about session topics and to download transcripts and speaker presentations.
We thank our many volunteers, partners, speakers and sponsors for their support of the Healthy Schools Summit 2005, which has helped Action for Healthy Kids ‘raise the bar' in our efforts to combat childhood obesity.
Action for Healthy Kids was launched at the inaugural Healthy Schools Summit in October 2002. In just three years, Action for Healthy Kids has expanded its reach to millions of students nationwide through initiatives in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more about the Healthy Schools Summit 2002.