PRESS RELEASE

Independence Blue Cross Foundation president speaks at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation conference

Lorina Marshall-Blake discussed the Healthy Futures Initiative to improve children’s health

Philadelphia, PA – December 5, 2014 – The Independence Blue Cross Foundation president Lorina Marshall-Blake spoke yesterday at the Robert Wood Johnson Childhood Obesity Program Leaders’ Fall Advance at the Hotel Monaco and the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Marshall-Blake discussed the Foundation’s “Healthy Futures Initiative” that addresses the region's child obesity epidemic as part of a panel discussion titled “The Philadelphia Story,” moderated by Dr. Giridhar Mallya of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

Healthy Futures is a three-year, $3 million comprehensive, collaborative approach to combating obesity and improving child wellness in southeastern Pennsylvania. Healthy Futures focuses on three components of healthy living — “Eat Right,” “Get Fit” and “Stay Well” — each brought to life in area schools through partnerships with national and regional experts in nutrition, fitness, and preventive health. Launched in August 2013, Healthy Futures offers programming in 25 regional schools, directly impacting more than 1,000 elementary students and their families. Learn more about Healthy Futures in this video.

Other panelists included:

• Bettyann Creighton, Director, Office of Health, Safety and Physical Education, School District of Philadelphia
• Christina Miller, senior program director, Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc.
• Susan Slawson, Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation

About the Independence Blue Cross Foundation
The Independence Blue Cross Foundation is a charitable, private foundation, whose mission is leading solutions for a healthier community. The Foundation targets the following areas of impact:

• Securing the Blue Safety Net: Supporting private, nonprofit community health center clinics that provide access to quality, affordable healthcare in medically underserved areas.
• Bolstering the Health Care Workforce: Strengthening the nursing, primary care, and allied health workforce through education, career development, and research.
• Addressing Health Priorities: Collaborating with wellness partners to tackle the region’s most pressing health challenges; currently combating the obesity epidemic through the IBC Foundation Healthy Futures Initiative.
• Building Healthy Communities: Partnering with community leaders and programs to address community health and wellness needs.

Learn more by visiting our website: www.ibxfoundation.org. Connect with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation on Twitter and Instagram at @ibxfdn.

Media contacts:
Ruth Stoolman
Independence Blue Cross
215-241-4807 (office)
215-280-3335 (cell)
ruth.stoolman@ibx.com