Judith A. Monroe, MD, FAAFP Deputy Director

Office for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rosie Henson, MSSW, MPH

Senior Policy Advisor

Assistant Secretary of Health

Department of Health and Human Services

Don Wright, MD, MPH

Deputy Assistant Secretary for HealthCare Quality

Department of Health and Human Services

US Healthiest exists to catalyze action and social engagement in support of our vision: To Make US the Healthiest Nation in a Healthier World. We seek to create a social movement promoting health and well-being everywhere people live, learn, work, and play. We want to find new ways to solve perennial problems of health and well-being, encourage people to make healthy choices, and create a social and physical environment that advances healthy living and well-being.

The founding members of US Healthiest (hereafter referred to as “USH”) understand that health is the key to not only physical, emotional and intellectual well-being but also to economic strength and national security. USH members are committed to making health and well-being a priority in industry and government, but also for individuals, families, and communities.

USH’s scope of interest extends beyond healthcare to a commitment to health equity and understanding the many factors that shape an individual’s opportunity for well-being (including access to education, housing, transportation, food, and prosperity). USH members understand that well-being includes both individual actions and governmental and organizational decisions that create the conditions in which all Americans can be well.

USH is a non-partisan organization that facilitates partnerships between national and grassroots efforts, fosters innovative actions, and connects individuals to spark a nationwide social movement to make the U.S. the healthiest nation in a healthier world.

Although the United States currently spends a greater proportion of its gross domestic product than any other nation on healthcare (roughly 16 percent), it ranks 37th in overall health system performance as defined and measured by the World Health Organization. Preventable chronic conditions (including cancer, heart diseases, pulmonary conditions, diabetes, and mental illness) account for more than 70 percent of all deaths nationwide, and 75 percent of all health care costs.

Throughout the nation, streets and sidewalks are unsafe for recreation. Public transport is inadequate. Safe, fresh, and wholesome food is not readily available to all residents. Current carbon footprints are unsustainable over time. Safe and healthy housing is not universally accessible. This can be changed.

Members of USH believe the U.S. can become the healthiest nation in a healthier world.

Achieving this goal requires a wide range of collective action across sectors. USH will facilitate that action, engaging diverse perspectives from organizations and individuals to create a network of people, ideas, policies, and programs to:

• Create a social movement to improve the nation’s health and well-being

• Activate multi-sector thought leadership to create and lead the transformation

• Disseminate high-impact interventions including tools, best practices, and policies

• Facilitate signature initiatives to increase public awareness and create collective action

• Celebrate successes through recognition and awards for outstanding contributions