America's Children in Peril: Solving the Child Obesity and Mental Health Epidemics

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Arizona State University

Jan 18, 2011, 12:14 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Arizona State University:

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

MEDIA ADVISORY

JANUARY 20, 2011

The Topic

America's Children in Peril: Solving the Child Obesity and Mental Health Epidemics

What: Forum with Opening Remarks by Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the US, and Expert Panel Discussion on Child Obesity and Mental Health

When: January 20, 2011, 9-10:30 a.m.

Where: National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC

RSVP by January 18 at [email protected] or phone 480-965-2116

Key Points of Discussion

How do we ensure our children's physical health when nearly one third are overweight or obese?
How do we address the psychological well-being of 11.2 million children and teens that struggle with serious mental health problems but do not receive treatment?
America cannot afford to let these afflictions go unchecked or untreated.

The foundation for a healthy adulthood is a healthy childhood. Despite our prosperity, growing numbers of American children are plagued with two chronic and intractable health challenges: obesity and compromised mental health. Nearly one third of American children are overweight and more than half of this group is obese. In addition to the increased physical diseases associated with being overweight, these children and adolescents suffer from a higher prevalence of psychological problems resulting in poor academic performance, low self-esteem, depressive disorders, and more suicide attempts. Moreover, approximately 15 million children and adolescents in the U.S. have a mental health problem that impairs their functioning at home or at school, but less than 25 percent receive treatment.

Innovative strategies including coordinated efforts among healthcare providers, schools, academic and research institutions, federal agencies, funders and policy makers are urgently needed to reverse these alarming trends in child and adolescent health. Through this forum, a panel of experts in the field, policy-makers, and national leaders will tackle these epidemics and offer cutting-edge solutions to reduce them.

* Opening Remarks:

Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS – 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006)

* Panel Members:

Kyu Rhee, MD, Chief Public Health Officer, Health Resources and Services Administration, USDHHS
Peter S. Jensen, MD – President, REACH Institute & Professor of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic
Bernadette Melnyk, Ph.D., RN, PNP, PMHNP– Dean, ASU College of Nursing & Health Innovation
Marie Morilus-Black, MSW – Director, DC Department of Mental Health: Children/Youth Services
Russell R. Pate, Ph.D., FACSM – Director, Children's Physical Activity Research Group, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health
Joanne Kenen – Founding Editor, New Health Dialogue blog, New America Foundation
Madelyn Clark – Youth Advisor, Alliance for a Healthier Generation