Gov. Phil Bredesen Tennessee

Gov. Mitch Daniels Indiana

As co-lead governors of the National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices Healthy America initiative, we continue the momentum of "wellness where we live, work, and learn" that began with former 2005-06 NGA chair Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas. The Healthy America initiative provided a powerful call to action, along with a menu of options and resources allowing governors the opportunity to change the poor health of our nation, including our nation's children.

Healthy States Program: Wellness in the Community and Workplace
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices launched the Healthy States Program, as part of former NGA Chairman Governor Mike Huckabee's Healthy America initiative. Thirteen states were awarded grants up to $100,000 for community and workplace wellness efforts that engage senior state leadership to develop and implement best practices that promote healthy living practices.

Healthy Kids, Healthy America Program
Fifteen states have been awarded up to $110,000 to establish programs aimed at preventing childhood obesity. Up to $100,000 will be awarded for proposals that focus on preventing childhood obesity through policy and environmental change; up to $10,000 will be awarded to conduct a statewide scan of efforts to address childhood obesity. The grant program began in the fall of 2007 and will continue into the fall of 2008.

Shaping a Healthy America: A Decision Making Guide
This interactive website assists policymakers in making informed and sound decisions concerning wellness programs. Recognizing that governors have numerous priorities and challenges, users can weigh the relative strengths of various policy options and find the best fit for the particular circumstances that each state faces. Policies are classified according to outcomes sought and venue of intervention. Types of policies highlighted include educating the public, altering choices, providing financial incentives, and reforming policy. Venues of intervention include individuals and families, schools, employers, the food industry, the media, and communities. The various policies are also weighted to allow users to choose between programs according to the degrees of financial investment required.