The FAMU Institute of Public Health (IPH) in FAMU's College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CoPPS) received an $80,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s (BCBSF) foundation, The Blue Foundation to build a multisectoral coalition in Leon County to address childhood obesity.Childhood obesity is one of the top concerns of First Lady Michelle Obama. On February 9, 2010 she launched an initiative called "Let's Move," which aims to educate American families about the importance raising children with healthy eating habits and active lifestyles.
According to the Let's Move website,"One third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives; many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma."
Tallahassee is one of five Florida cities collaborating with The Blue Foundation through Embrace a Healthy Florida – The Blue Foundation’s childhood obesity initiative.
“Childhood obesity’s widespread threat to children, families, communities and the health care system compels us to take action,” said Susan Towler, vice president, The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida. “Through Embrace a Healthy Florida, we hope to work side-by-side with the Tallahassee coalition to stop the epidemic before more of our children develop diabetes, heart disease and other obesity-related health problems.”
These concerted efforts may help to parallel and promote similar endeavors in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami.