Quick Wrap: Health Matters, So Does Much Needed Star Power

Long time readers know I'm a huge fan of the first two iterations of the Clinton Foundation's Health Matters conference that kicks off the Humana Challenge. They've been inspiring, even brilliant all-day seminars that leave everyone motivated to take better care of themselves and to advocate for better societal wellness. The only thing lacking has been television coverage to share the ideas of the many fascinating people assembled.

Lacking to a lesser degree has been a stronger connection to golf, the very reason this event was started and President Clinton's passion. Yet his foundation has consistently resisted the urge to make this gathering of great minds more closely connected to golf and doing so in a way that shares the Health Matters day with the many health-focsued and influential people in our sport. More than ever, much needed star power was lacking, especially from the world of golf.

After a 30 minute-late start, a strong panel headed by President Clinton kicked the day off in engaging fashion as Commissioner Tim Finchem wisely stayed quiet while billionaire inventer, physician, visionary and Lakers part-owner Patrick Soon-Shiong stole the show. He described many of his initiatives and efforts to make the health care system focus on care and prevention via technology, and had little use for the blatherings of Tenet CEO Trevor Fetter, whose company is far removed from the innovative world Soon-Shiong lives in.

The tension between Soon-Shioung and Fetter along with the overall pleasure of listening to bright minds discussing issues unfortunately didn't carry into the rest of the day, as many of the panels had me longing for one of A-Rod's testosterone lozenges just to stay focused. The emphasis on corporate messages, pre-planned announcements and overall wonkery left few inspired to act and even fewer to ask whether the message here should be shared with the outside world. I could think of several PGA Tour players, player-trainers and others in golf who have great messages that would inspire and offset some of the wonkery. (Notah Begay was once again a bright spot on his panel talking about issues related to Native Americans and his family history.)

While I have no doubt that the world of health care needs to be dealing with the many technical issues discussed, the overall sense was that the foundation's Health Matters team is making an intentional effort to distant itself from the very reason it is here--a golf tournament. Thay may ultimately set back the effort expand the vital message of this annual gathering and certainly will dissuade Golf Channel or other television coverage like the first year saw. (In February, ESPN will show Monday's Clinton rountable with Kobe Bryant and Matt Kemp, among others.)

Here is video of the closing remarks by President Clinton and kicked off by Yossymar Rojas, the 18-year-old recipient of California Youth Of The Year who is already a better public speaker than 99.9% of the world. The President's excellent summary starts at the 16:30 mark:

And for what it's worth, the press release on the many announcements from the day. Again, all are worthy and from people passionate about their cause...

President Clinton Hosts Third Annual Health Matters Conference
 
Clinton Health Matters Initiative announces strategic investments in health and wellness totaling more than $100 million and impacting more than 50 million people across the United States
 
Today, the Clinton Foundation hosted the third annual Health Matters: Activating Wellness in Every Generation Conference. This conference brought together nearly 500 leaders from health care, technology, media, sports, education, business, and public policy to surface solutions and strategies on how to transform health in the United States. This year, the conference announced more than $100 million in new investments to make health and wellness accessible to all people in the United States with 30 strategic partners. More than 50 million people across the country will be impacted by these commitments to action.
 
“One in six American lives will be touched by the investments we are making in health and wellness,” said President Clinton. “These 50 million people include kids with better access to healthier food options; college students informed about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and warning signs of suicide; and adults better equipped to manage their health and change their lifestyles to prevent disease.”
 
The conference, sponsored by Tenet Healthcare Corporation, included panels on issues such as health transformation, closing the gap in health inequities and disparities, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Participants included President Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy, Jenna Wolfe, Sue Siegel, and Reverend Rick Warren.
 
Commitments to action established with the Foundation’s Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI) strategic partners will be discussed throughout the day. Key news from CHMI strategic partners at this year’s conference included:
 
·         A new partnership with the Jed Foundation to make college campuses safer and support the mental and emotional health needs of students. This partnership is being supported by media partners such as Facebook, which is helping students identify the warning signs of suicide and provide tips for how to help a friend in need, and MTV, which is raising awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

·         A new partnership with the Aspen Institute Sport & Society Program to work with national governing bodies of sport, academia, and others to ensure that all children have access to physical activity and sports. This was discussed at the conference’s opening ESPN Town Hall, which included President Clinton and Kobe Bryant discussing key strategies to improve access to sports and physical activity; and commitments from Nike and the United States Olympic Committee to understand how to bring these positive experiences to all children.

·         A commitment from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to expand its work to increase access to healthier foods and physical activity outside, as well as inside school environments.

·         An announcement of awards totaling $5 million by the Knight Foundation to winners of their challenge to use digital platforms to take health data and knowledge and bring it to individuals and communities in ways that they can use to improve their own health.

·         A partnership with the Palisades Media Ventures and the James Beard Foundation to launch the 800 Calorie Challenge, a national cooking competition that focuses on healthy eating and nutrition.

·         A joint commitment from the Saddleback Church, P.E.A.C.E. Center, and the Daniel Plan to improve health and wellness in the Southern California region by increasing access to medical care, health good, and support groups for healthy living; the lessons from this commitment will be spread nationwide to every church in America.
 
For more information on the commitments to action made by the CHMI strategic partners and the 2014 Health Matters Conference, please visit: www.clintonfoundation.org.