PhRMA Members are Committed
To Fighting Childhood Obesity

Washington, D.C. (July 16, 2008) — The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) shares the concerns that members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Children and Families have regarding the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in America.

The HELP Subcommittee held a hearing today focusing on childhood obesity and the impact it is having on the declining health of America’s next generation. Current statistics show that in the last 30 years, the percent of overweight children and adolescents has tripled from 5.2 percent between the years of 1971 and 1974 to 17.3 percent between 2001 and 2004. Lack of exercise, unhealthy diets and genetics are seen as the primary reasons why childhood obesity and chronic disease rates have increased significantly in the U.S.

“To help address this very troubling crisis America is now facing, it is important that we focus our attention on ways we can help promote healthy eating and exercise as well as effective prevention of chronic disease,” said PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin. “Sadly, because of the growing rate of childhood obesity, America’s next generation is at great risk of losing ground in our battle against the number one killer in America: chronic disease.”

Chronic diseases account for seven out of 10 deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of children born in the U.S. in 2000, one in three will develop diabetes over the course of a lifetime given current trends. Between 1988 and 2002, the share of children with prehypertension and hypertension increased by one-third, which means an additional 410,000 children nationwide may be at greater risk for related conditions such as stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.

America’s pharmaceutical research companies last year joined forces with a national, bi-partisan coalition of patients, providers, community organizations and health policy experts to form the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD). The Partnership raises awareness of chronic disease and the policies and practices that save lives and reduce health costs through more effective prevention and management of chronic disease.

“Improving the health of future generations is only possible if we all join hands and lead the fight against the growing threat of childhood obesity,” Tauzin continued. “America’s pharmaceutical research companies are committed to this tremendous effort and look forward to continuing this important dialogue with other stakeholders in hopes that we can all defeat this deadly epidemic."

Contact: Jennifer Page
202-835-3460

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The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $44.5 billion in 2007 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and investment reached a record $58.8 billion in 2007.

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