Prevention Matters

While most aspects of health reform require Congressional action. the new president will find that he has the authority to take action in many areas without waiting for Congress. Partnership for Prevention has compiled a list of such recommendations for President-elect Obama, and today sent him a letter urging him to:

• Direct federally sponsored health insurance programs to provide coverage for, and encourage use of, those clinical preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
• Direct federal agencies to ensure their buildings and installations are healthy worksites and to offer comprehensive worksite health promotion programs
• Order the Secretary of HHS to mobilize the work of the various federal agencies responsible for programs key to achieving the nation’s Healthy People goals and objectives
• Create an inter-departmental National Obesity Council to develop a comprehensive and coordinated national strategy for combating the obesity epidemic, and
• Submit the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to the Senate for ratification