Urban League Supports RWJF Recommendations for a Healthier America

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The National Urban League on Dec. 7, 2009, announced its support the recommendations of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Commission to Build a Healthier America.

“The members of the Commission should be applauded for helping to expand the discussion surrounding how we reform the country’s health system. The Commission released 10 recommendations for dramatic improvements in the health of all Americans, particularly those who face the greatest barriers to good health.

“The recommendations are a welcome addition to the country’s health reform debate, and we look forward to working with the members of the Commission, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, policymakers and other stakeholders to make these proposals a reality.”

Recommendations from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America are:

1. Fund and design WIC and SNAP (Food Stamps) programs to meet the needs of hungry families for nutritious food.

2. Create public-private partnerships to open and sustain full-service grocery stores in communities without access to healthful foods.

3. Feed children only healthy foods in schools.

4. Require all schools (K-12) to include time for all children to be physically active every day.

5. Become a smoke-free nation.

6. Ensure that all children have high-quality early developmental support (child care, education and other services).

7. Create “healthy community” demonstrations to evaluate the effects of a full complement of health-promoting policies and programs.

8. Develop a “health impact” rating for housing and infrastructure projects that reflects the projected effects on community health and provides incentives for projects that earn the rating.

9. Integrate safety and wellness into every aspect of community life.

10. Ensure that decision-makers in all sectors have the evidence they need to build health into public and private policies and practices.