• Tools, Tips & How To

• Action Brief: Health Care System: A Powerful Force for Improving Eating and Activity Environments (PDF)

• A Prevention Approach to Reforming Health Care

• ENACT: Health Care

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

As medical experts and advocates in both clinical and community settings, health care providers potentially play an essential role in improving eating and activity habits. In 2001, the Surgeon General stated, "left unabated, overweight and obesity could cause as much preventable death and disability as cigarette smoking."  Physicians and other health care providers helped to achieve significant reductions in tobacco and motor vehicle related mortality by testifying to policymakers, advocating to the public, and advising patients. Once again, their power and resources are needed to stem the current physical inactivity and diet-related chronic disease that our nation faces.