A Conversation on the Health of our Nation’s Children

Let’s Move!: A Conversation on the Health of our Nation’s Children

March 22, 2016

By: Karen DeSalvo, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., Acting Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) and National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans 10 years ago, I became a public servant almost by accident – looking around at our devastated community, I joined a group of doctors, nurses, officers from our U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and members of the community who came together to get our neighbors the care they needed. It was a real grassroots effort, driven by a community-based vision for our city’s future.
I saw that same spirit, passion and grassroots effort a week ago at the White House, where approximately 150 parent bloggers (who are so critical to our communities) came together to learn, share stories and hear from leaders throughout the Administration about the ongoing efforts to raise a healthier generation of kids through First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative.
Let’s Move! is based on a simple premise: There are things we can do, as parents, educators and community members to ensure that every child, in every neighborhood, has the same opportunity to grow up healthy. These are locally-driven efforts, with elected officials, schools, community organizations and houses of worship stepping up to make health a priority.
The First Lady, who hosted the event and spoke to the group, has made it her mission to improve the health of our nation’s children through Let’s Move!.  Last week’s event helped these active and influential parents see the role they can play in building stronger, healthier communities throughout our country.
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