On April 15 and 16, 2003, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson convened a national health summit, Steps to a Healthier U.S.: Putting Prevention First, to promote the critical role that prevention efforts will serve in addressing the future incidence of chronic diseases and their associated healthcare costs.

“I am convinced that preventing disease by promoting better health is a smart policy choice for our future,” Secretary Thompson said. The HealthierUS initiative, launched by President George W. Bush in June 2001, focuses on reducing the major health burden created by obesity, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer by being a source of credible, accurate information to help Americans choose to live healthier lives.

Summit speakers provided inspiration and tools to promote prevention at the national, state, and local levels to the 1,000 summit participants, which included community leaders, health department officials, business leaders, healthcare providers, policy- and decision-makers, government officials, and legislators.

In addition to Secretary Thompson’s backing, the summit enjoyed support from Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, Surgeon General Richard Carmona, National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Julie Gerberding and other top officials from DHHS and other federal departments, community leaders, public health officials, and business and education leaders.

For more information about HealthierUS, visit www.healthierus.gov or www.whitehouse.gov.