Five critical children’s health issues – nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem, grieving and bullying – will be addressed through education, communications, volunteerism, grants and programming. I am always amazed by the amount of overweight or even obese children I see. Encouraging more physical activity and improved nutritional habits among children is critical.
In order to better promote children’s health the Highmark Foundation will partner with organizations that will serve as content and program experts for the initiative. Below are the partners:
- Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA)
- Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center
- SPARK Active Recreation Program
- Heartwood Institute
- Office of Community Health, Conemaugh Health System
- InnerLink, developer of Highmark Health eTools for Schools
- Highmark Caring Place.
Importantly for organizations Highmark Healthy High 5 will being accepting grant applications beginning in the fall of 2006. In addition a website, www.highmarkhealthyhigh5.org, has been launched as a destination for important information regarding the initiative, how to get involved and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
