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THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE WITH EXPANDED INFORMATION AT:
www.hhs.gov/news/newsletter/weekly

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) a speech in April, he outlined three ways for Americans to live more healthfully:

• Be active. Just by walking 30 minutes a day, or going outside to play, Americans can lose weight and be healthier.
• Enjoy fruits and vegetables. By adding a couple of fruits and vegetables to their diet, people will feel better and live longer. The recommended intake is five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
• Quit smoking.

As part of what's being called the Healthier U.S. Initiative, Secretary Thompson will work with President Bush to promote healthier living. To kick-off the Healthier U.S. Initiative, President Bush has announced four days of events.

On Thursday, June 30th, the Secretary will join the President as he hosts a fitness expo on the South Lawn of the White House. At the fitness expo, the President will introduce new members of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and will discuss more details of his fitness initiative. There will be screening booths available where people can assess the state of their health and fitness.

On Friday, June 21st, the President will travel to Orlando, Florida, where he will visit with seniors at a local senior center to discuss the administration’s fitness initiative and the value of age-appropriate physical activity to promote healthy aging.

On Saturday, June 22nd, the President and the First Lady will host the President's Fitness Challenge at Fort McNair, for White House staff and Cabinet. At the Fitness Challenge, the President will lead runners in a three-mile run, and the First Lady will lead walkers in a 1.5 mile walk.

President Bush Signs Bioterrorism Response Bill

Secretary Thompson joined President Bush, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, and members of Congress in the White House Rose Garden on June 12 for the signing of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2002.

President Bush thanked Secretary Thompson and the HHS staff for leading Administration efforts on the legislation, which will protect Americans against the threat of bioterrorism and strengthen the nation's public health system.

“Biological weapons are potentially the most dangerous weapons in the world,” President Bush said. “Last fall's anthrax attacks were an incredible tragedy to a lot of people in America, and it sent a warning that we needed and have heeded. We must be better prepared to prevent, identify and respond (to bioterrorism). And this bill I'm signing today will help a lot in this essential effort.”

The bill has four objectives:

• Enhance the nation's ability to prevent and detect bioterrorist attacks.
• Strengthen the communications networks that link health care providers with public health authorities.
• Strengthen the ability of the health care system to expedite treatments across our country.
• Develop better vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tests.

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