U.S. Chamber Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Announce New Health and Economic Opportunity Initiative
Two-Year Campaign Will Engage Businesses in Community Wellness
WASHINGTON, April 7, 2015 /3BL Media/ - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced a two-year initiative to engage the American business community on the overlap of health and economic opportunity. The “Better Health through Economic Opportunity” campaign will be made possible through a $1.7 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“Businesses understand that healthy communities are vital for long-term growth and competitiveness,” said Suzanne Clark, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “We are delighted to partner with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and bring to light the important role businesses play in community wellness.”
The initiative will be managed by the Chamber Foundation’s Corporate Citizenship Center and will seek to foster both a national and local dialogue on the role business can play in promoting community health. It will include a research project on the connection between health and economic growth, toolkits to help local businesses shape the healthy future of their communities, a national summit in 2016, and forums hosted at regional chambers of commerce in 10 communities across the country, including the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, and the Fort Worth Chamber.
“The private sector holds tremendous potential for building a Culture of Health in America, “ said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “I can’t think of a better partner than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to engage the American business community in this important movement to expand economic opportunities that drive better health.”
More information on the initiative is available here.
For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness and educating the public on how the free enterprise system improves society and the economy.
The U.S .Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
