HHS Secretary Leavitt and Ad Council Unveil Campaign to Combat Childhood Obesity

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt will join DreamWorks Animation’s Chairman Roger Enrico and the Ad Council’s Peggy Conlon to launch a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to help prevent childhood obesity. Featuring characters from the movie Shrek, the PSAs are an extension of the Ad Council and HHS’ ongoing Small Steps Obesity Prevention campaign which encourages children and families to lead healthy lifestyles.

The launch event will also highlight upcoming efforts supported by the members of the Ad Council’s Coalition for Healthy Children to deliver consistent health messages to the public. The coalition members include leaders from the food and beverage, entertainment, media and information technology industries.

The Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The department includes more than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities, including health and social science research, preventing disease, including immunization services, assuring food and drug safety, and Medicare and Medicaid.

The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshalling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has effected, and continues to effect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action, and saving lives.