Newly released: Recommendations from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America. Time to Act: Investing in the Health of Our Children and Communities calls for action on early childhood, healthy communities, and bridging health and health care. Read the report and explore the charts, infographics, and videos at RWJF.org

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News and Events

Over the course of its tenure, the Commission studied prevention, wellness, and the broader social factors that influence good health by conducting site visit and hearing testimony from experts, innovators, stakeholders and the public. See below for an archive of the Commission’s work, including news releases, events and media coverage.

Please note that some of the links may have expired or may require a subscription. 

  • News releases

    • Commission Releases New State-By-State Report Showing Health Strongly Linked to Education

      May 6, 2009

      Across the country and in every state, adults with less education are more likely to be in less than very good health than college graduates, and adults in every state fall far short of the level of good health that should be achievable for all Americans, says a new report released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America. Read more

    • Commission Recommendations Call for Action Beyond Health Care Reform

      April 2, 2009

      The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Commission to Build a Healthier America today urged all Americans to make healthier choices and society to help remove the obstacles so many people face in making those choices, issuing 10 cross-cutting recommendations for improving the nation’s health. Read more

    More News Releases

  • The commission in the news

    • U.S. News & World Report: Poor Education May Lead to Poor Health

      October 12, 2009

      Adults with a poor education are also likely to have poor health, a growing body of evidence suggests. Study after study has confirmed the link, and now experts are zeroing in on the reasons for it and what can be done. Read more

    • LA Times: William H. Frist: Focus on wellness

      September 21, 2009

      True healthcare reform requires a radical reorientation of our health sector to emphasize staying well. For the first time in history, we are raising a generation of children who will live sicker and shorter lives than their parents. Where and how we live, learn, work and play have a greater impact on how long and how well we live than added medical services. Read more

    More News on the Commission

  • News on related issues

    • USA Today: A healthier Head Start focuses more on preventing obesity

      December 8, 2009

      Many preschool children in Head Start programs are being offered fruits and vegetables and low-fat or non-fat milk daily as directors are increasingly concerned about childhood obesity. The children also have a chance to play each day. Read more

    • Washington Post: America's economic pain brings hunger pangs

      November 23, 2009

      The nation's economic crisis has catapulted the number of Americans who lack enough food to the highest level since the government has been keeping track, according to a new federal report, which shows that nearly 50 million people -- including almost one child in four -- struggled last year to get enough to eat. Read more

    More News on Related Issues

  • From the blogosphere

    • The Health Care Blog: We the Consumers

      November 10, 2009

      As part of the work of the Commission to Build a Healthier America, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released an issue brief in September, titled Education and Health. The RWJF study finds that those of us that never graduated from high school are twice as likely to report being in poor health than college graduates. Read more

    • RWJF APHA Blog: Menu-Labeling’s Impact Across the Country

      November 9, 2009

      Live coverage from APHA: Analysis of menu-labeling efforts across the country have shown that, on average, 30% of people who see the posted calorie information use it. Read more

    More From the Blogsphere