Housing programs lift poor in world

By William H. Frist and Jonathan T.M. Reckford?

8:11 p.m. Monday, April 12, 2010

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/housing-programs-lift-poor-457340.html

As in Haiti and Chile, disasters mobilize us to help families rebuild, rebound and recover.

Yet, in our rush to react, we can overlook the underlying tragedy: those most vulnerable to disaster often live in peril before the earth shakes or the sea rumbles. We must respond to the needs of disaster survivors, but we must also address the constant crisis families face daily in deplorable living conditions.

For example, nearly 9 million children die each year from preventable causes. That’s about 24,500 every day.

By the time you read this article, 50 more will have died, not because of medical barriers, but because of financial ones. Cheap medical interventions can prevent many of these deaths, but medicine isn’t the only necessary measure.

With access to clean water, proper sanitation and other basic services, decent housing fosters good health.

More should be done through public, private and nonprofit partnerships to provide proper housing.

Take those preventable causes above and consider how many of them might have been avoided had families lived in decent homes.

Pneumonia, for example, kills more children each year than AIDS, malaria and measles combined — nearly four children each minute.

Many of those deaths take place in homes with crowded living conditions where bacteria thrive.

Because too many poor families cannot afford adequate shelter, they cram too many people into too small a space — subjecting the entire household to increased risk.

Diarrhea is another leading cause of child deaths. Once a child contracts diarrhea, we can easily treat it with oral rehydration.

But consider again how that same child might have avoided the condition with access to clean water. More than 1.2 billion people lack that access.

Studies have linked health outcomes to housing and housing-related basics such as water and sanitation. In Mexico, the World Bank found that replacing dirt floors with concrete floors improved the health of children, including a 78 percent reduction in parasitic infections and a 49 percent reduction in diarrhea.

In Malawi, researchers from Emory University concluded that young children living in Habitat for Humanity homes were 44 percent less likely to contract respiratory problems, gastrointestinal diseases or malaria than their counterparts living in substandard housing.

Behind those statistics are the hopes, lives and dreams of children who are significantly less likely to fall ill when they have adequate shelter.

Health threats from inadequate housing are not limited to developing countries. In the United States, 6 million families face disproportionate health risks because of their housing. Cockroaches and mold exacerbate asthma in children and adults.

The list goes on, and even though it’s poor and low-income families who suffer most, all of us have a stake in the good health — and by extension, the good housing — of everyone.

Creating decent, affordable housing is not only the right thing to do, it’s smart and economical — saving health care dollars at home and promoting economic development internationally.

When families are well, they don’t incur costly hospital visits, and when they can afford their housing, they can better maintain a healthy life.

Health initiatives in the U.S. and beyond must address the positive impact adequate housing has on good health.

As Congress assesses U.S. foreign assistance, policy-makers should recognize the importance of shelter as a standalone issue, as well as a means to support other development outcomes, such as improved health.

We as individuals must speak up in the conversation around decent shelter.

We can advocate for sound housing policy, roll up our sleeves to build affordable housing or financially invest in housing solutions that bring health, hope and healing to families around the globe.

Dr. William H. Frist is a physician and former U.S. Senate majority leader.

Jonathan T.M. Reckford is CEO at Habitat for Humanity International.

I was initially blown away at the number of delivery rooms when first arriving on the labor and delivery ward at University Teaching Hospital (UTH). There were no less than 20 beds for mothers who were in labor or those who were pregnant and very ill. The monitors, such as those used to assess fetal heart rates found in most U.S. hospitals, were absent. As were bedside sitting areas for patient's family and friends, likely as a result of limited space.
In Dar es Salaam, March signifies the end of Tanzania's summer which starts somewhere around December. During the summer, the sun is already unbearable by 7 a.m. and the ridiculous humidity means you'll be drenched in sweat before you can even make it from home to the office.

Earlier today, First Lady Michelle Obama announced that Senator Frist will serve as a Vice Chair for her Childhood Obesity Foundation - Partnership for a Healthier America:

Partnership for a Healthier America Expands Leadership, Naming Board of Directors and Honorary Vice Chairs

Sen. Frist, Mayor Booker Join First Lady Michelle Obama as Honorary Leaders of Childhood Obesity Foundation

Nine-Member Board of Directors Brings Vast Array of Experience and Expertise to Support Partnership, Guide its Activities


Washington, DC - The Partnership for a Healthier America today announced the addition of key leaders in its effort to address the serious epidemic of childhood obesity.  The organization named former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Newark Mayor Cory Booker as Honorary Vice Chairs, and appointed a board of directors, including Dr. James R. Gavin III, who will serve as chairman.  The Partnership is working to mobilize the private sector, thought leaders, media, and local communities to action and further the goals of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign to curb childhood obesity within a generation.
 
In their roles, Frist, Booker, Gavin, and the board of directors bring valuable leadership and experience to help drive the Partnership's activities and ensure the organization is effective in establishing measurable solutions for fighting obesity.    
 
On a conference call today with Frist, Booker, and Gavin, the First Lady welcomed the Partnership's new leaders.  "Reversing the obesity trend has never been more important to the health of our nation and, to succeed, it will take the combined effort of public and private sectors," the First Lady said.  "I am encouraged by the enthusiasm and resolve of the honorary vice chairs and new board of directors, and I am confident that their leadership and experience will help us achieve our goal of solving childhood obesity within a generation."
 
A licensed physician, Frist has long recognized the growing danger of the obesity epidemic.  "As childhood obesity continues to threaten the health and future of all American children, the time has come for meaningful, measurable solutions to solve this crisis," Frist said.  "I look forward to working to mobilize leaders across this country to take action and improve the health of our nation."   
 
Similarly, Booker has worked tirelessly to promote healthy lifestyles and physical fitness for all Newark residents.  "My experiences in Newark have shown me that the fight against childhood obesity can only be won if all people come together to find real, achievable solutions," Booker said.  "I am excited to join in this effort and help bring our nation together for this important cause."
 
As the Partnership's board chairman, Dr. Gavin brings a deep knowledge of childhood obesity-related illnesses and the policy and environmental influences that are contributing factors.  He currently serves as chief executive officer and chief medical officer of Healing Our Village, Inc., a health communication corporation developing methods to assure health care system change that promotes patient behavior change for improved health outcomes in medically-underserved populations.    
 
"The Partnership for a Healthier America will fill a unique niche among childhood obesity initiatives across the country, by working to target industry-specific solutions that can be measured and tracked," Gavin said.  "I am pleased to help lead this organization in efforts to develop a strong network of committed and solution-oriented members dedicated to curbing childhood obesity within a generation."
 
Other newly-appointed members of the board of directors are Deborah DeHaas, Peter Dolan, S. Lawrence Kocot, Deborah Landesman, Janet Murguía, Vivian Riefberg, William L. Roper, and Antronette K. Yancey.
 
These board members bring significant experience and expertise that will support the Partnership's activities and help ensure its success.  Members offer medical expertise on issues related to childhood obesity; have experience leading large companies, as well as organizations focused on driving social change; and represent multiple communities highly affected by the childhood obesity epidemic.  For complete board member biographies, please visit www.aHealthierAmerica.org/about/board.html.
 
About the Partnership for a Healthier America

The Partnership for a Healthier America is an independent, nonpartisan organization that will mobilize broad-based support for efforts to solve the child obesity challenge.  Core activities of the Partnership include:
 

  • Developing  a  strong membership network of  leaders across sectors with commitment to  scaling meaningful and measurable solutions;  
  • Convening members  annually to affirm, align, and announce commitments;  
  • Promoting broad  understanding among all sectors about the role healthy food, physical  activity, and the environment play in reversing the childhood obesity  epidemic;  
  • Facilitating and  measuring the impact of members' commitments against clear and transparent  targets; and  
  • Connecting  potential partners in the private and nonprofit sectors to each other and to  the correct points of contact in government to ensure efficient leveraging of  actions, and sharing of knowledge and lessons learned at the community, state,  and national levels.  


The Partnership emerged out of a series of conversations between The California Endowment, Kaiser Permanente, Nemours, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which is a partnership of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation.  Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal, LLP has provided operational and legal support in establishing the Foundation. The Brookings Institution has also contributed thought leadership to the effort.
 
For more information about the Partnership for a Healthier America, please visit www.aHealthierAmerica.org.  
 
About the Let's Move! Campaign

The First Lady's nationwide initiative seeks to solve the challenge of childhood obesity, so that America's youngest children reach adulthood at a healthy weight.  Her plan offers four pillars:
 

  • Offering parents  the tools and information they need to make healthy choices for their  kids;  
  • Getting healthier  food into our nation's schools;  
  • Ensuring that all  our families have access to healthy, affordable food in their communities; and  
  • Increasing  opportunities for kids to be physically active, both in and out of  school.  

The Partnership will support these pillars through a campaign to unite and inspire families from every corner of the United States to take real and sustained actions to eat better, be more active, and make a commitment to embracing healthier lifestyles.
 
For more information on Let's Move!, visit www.letsmove.gov.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                           

Contact: Jenny Dyer

March 28, 2010                                                                                 

(615) 818-5579

 Hope Through Healing Hands Announces

The Water=Hope Campaign in partnership with

The Brad Paisley H2O World Tour 2010

Nashville, TN - Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH) announces the title of its upcoming campaign for clean, safe water around the world: The Water=Hope Campaign.

Last Monday, March 22, 2010 was World Water Day, a day to draw attention to the one out of five people around the world who lack access to safe drinking water, and Brad Paisley announced the first leg of his highly anticipated 2010 tour, H2O World Tour presented by Chevy. Hope Through Healing Hands is excited to partner with Brad Paisley and his H20 Tour 2010 with a campaign for clean, safe water. 

The Water=Hope Campaign will promote awareness and advocacy for safe water, adequate sanitation, and improved hygiene, especially in low-income countries. At each show, HTHH will have a booth to distribute literature and encourage people to learn more about how they can get involved. Prior to the show, fans will have the opportunity to text their donations to support clean water initiatives around the globe.

With donations made to the campaign at each tour stop, HTHH will be digging wells and purifying water here in the U.S. and in some of the areas in the world that are in the most desperate need for clean, safe water.

H2O World Tour will include a "Water World Plaza," sponsored by Sea Ray Boats and Skinny Water, and will turn every city into a water festival.  Focal point in the Plaza area will be the "Water World Plaza Stage" featuring emerging new stars Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia and Josh Thompson.  The tour extravaganza will open each day at 4:00pm with music starting at 5:00pm.  In addition to the music stage there will be multiple water-themed activities - including a Chevy H2O FLW fishing simulator, dunking booth, Hope Through Healing Hands' campaign booth, and more.

H2O World Tour will hit more than 75 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe over the next 12 months.  Chevy is title sponsor for the tour.  Special guests for the tour will include Darius Rucker and Justin Moore.  Appropriately, Paisley's current hit single is "Water," from his American Saturday Night album.

About Hope Through Healing Hands:

Hope Through Healing Hands is a Nashville-based 501(c) (3) that promotes improved quality of life for citizens and communities around the world using health as a currency for peace. HTHH supports health students and residents to do service and training in underserved clinics around the world. For more information, go to www.hopethroughhealinghands.org.

About Brad Paisley:

Country music superstar Brad Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist, entertainer and member of the Grand Ole Opry.  He has earned three GRAMMY's, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards and 13 Country Music Association Awards.  Paisley has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums and has accumulated sales of over 10 million units.  His most recent album, American Saturday Night, was ranked as TIME magazine's 2009 #1 album of the year in any genre of music.  Paisley's most recent #1 single, "American Saturday Night," was his 16th #1 - the last 12 consecutive. Paisley's innovative and entertaining tours have consistently placed in the Top 5 in Pollstar for attendance and his 2009 American Saturday Night tour played to nearly 1.2 million fans in 8 months.  Currently Paisley is nominated for four ACM Awards - Entertainer, Male, Album (American Saturday Night) and Video ("Welcome to the Future").

 

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Last night, Senator Bill Frist was honored by the T.J. Martell Foundation with the Lifetime Medical Achievement Award. Big Kenny Alphin of Nashville and Ross Perot Jr. of Dallas, TX presented the award citing Dr. Frist's contributions to medical science, the field of transplantation, and global health for the past 35 years.

INFORMATION FOR RELEASE:

March 22, 2010

 

CHEVY PRESENTS

THE BRAD PAISLEY  H2O WORLD TOUR

Announced Today On World Water Day

 

Includes Fun-Filled "Water World Plaza"

Sponsored by Sea Ray Boats and Skinny Water

 

Special Guests include Darius Rucker, Justin Moore

Also appearing Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia and Josh Thompson

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Brad Paisley announced the first leg of his highly anticipated 2010 tour, H2O World Tour presented by Chevy, today on World Water Day - a day to draw attention to the 1 out of 5 people around the world who lack access to safe drinking water.  Paisley is proud to partner with Hope Through Healing Hands' campaign for clean, safe water.  With donations made to the campaign at each tour stop HTHH will be digging wells and purifying water in America and around the world.

H2O World Tour will hit more than 75 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe over the next 12 months.  Chevy is title sponsor for the tour.  Special guests will be Darius Rucker and Justin Moore.  Appropriately, Paisley's current single is "Water," from his American Saturday Night album.

H2O World Tour will include a "Water World Plaza," sponsored by Sea Ray Boats and Skinny Water, and will turn every city into a water festival.  Focal point in the Plaza area will be the "Water World Plaza Stage" featuring emerging new stars Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia and Josh Thompson.  The tour extravaganza will open each day at 4:00pm with music starting at 5:00pm.  In addition to the music stage there will be multiple water-themed activities - including a Chevy H2O FLW fishing simulator, dunking booth, Hope Through Healing Hands' campaign booth, and more.

Chevy will be providing a Corvette driving simulator for concert goers to test the latest Corvette ZR1 series as well as their individual driving and racing skills against Paisley himself.  "If they can beat me, they can meet me," laughs Paisley. 

"I've never been this excited about a tour," continues Paisley.  "After one of the worst winters I can remember, we're going to make up for it this summer."

The tour will kick off May 21-22 in Virginia Beach, VA and Washington, DC.  Live Nation is the national tour promoter.  Tickets went on sale March 12 at LiveNation.com.

"Brad has always considered the fans first and foremost when planning a tour, and the H2O Tour is no exception.  Brad's vision was to have a full day of activity at each of the shows, and also provide a great value for the fan's dollar," says Brian O'Connell, President, Nashville Touring, for Live Nation.  "Introducing Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia, and Josh Thompson to the tour on the "Water World Plaza Stage," and Darius Rucker and Justin Moore sharing the Main Stage continues Brad's commitment to bring the hottest acts in Country Music to enhance his spectacular show, and deliver value to the fans each and every night.  The H2O tour will prove to be the kick off to a great fun- filled summer!"

Country music superstar Brad Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has earned him three GRAMMY's, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards and 13 Country Music Association Awards.  Paisley has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums and has accumulated sales of over 10 million units.  His most recent album, American Saturday Night, was ranked as TIME magazine's 2009 #1 album of the year in any genre of music.  Paisley's most recent #1 single, "American Saturday Night," was his 16th #1 - the last 12 consecutive. Paisley's innovative and entertaining tours have consistently placed in the Top 5 in Pollstar for attendance and his 2009 American Saturday Night tour played to nearly 1.2 million fans in 8 months.  Currently Paisley is nominated for four ACM Awards - Entertainer, Male, Album (American Saturday Night) and Video ("Welcome to the Future").

About Darius Rucker:

Darius Rucker signed with Capitol Records Nashville in 2007 and has since been embraced by the country music community with his chart-topping 2008 debut, Learn to Live - an album that has produced three consecutive No. 1 singles and latest Top 5 smash, "History In The Making." Rucker's transition has been highly praised, with The New York Times proclaiming he has "one of the year's most vibrant country albums." Rucker's success in the country music format was recently recognized at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards when he received the Top New Artist title and again with an ACM Award nomination in the Top Male Vocalist of the Year category.  Rucker is currently in the studio working on his follow-up to Live.  For more information, please visit www.dariusrucker.com.

About Justin Moore:
Lauded as Billboard's "New Country Artist of 2009," Moore was the only new Country artist last year to earn #1 single status (for his hometown anthem "Small Town USA").  The success of "Small Town USA" made the Arkansas native the first solo artist to have a song from his/her debut album go to #1 since Taylor Swift's "Our Song" (from her Big Machine Records self-titled release) in December 2007.   The hit has sold over a half million downloads to-date. Moore's follow-up single, "Backwoods," is currently a Top 15 hit and rising.  Moore's self-titled album, which debuted on the Billboard Top 200's Top 10, was recognized as one of the best albums of 2009 in The New York Times'  "The Year in the Arts" list by music critic Jon Caramanica.  For more information, visit:  www.moorejustinmusic.com or www.myspace.com/moorejustinmusic

About Easton Corbin:

Recognized for the current #1 hit "A Little More Country Than That", newcomer Easton Corbin holds the title for the highest-charting male debut single for 2009 and 2010. People magazine awarded his self-titled debut album three out of four stars and claims it "sounds like the second coming of George Strait." Others agree. Billboard boasts "Taking a page from the Strait playbook, Corbin displays excellent song sense while offering an easygoing vocal style."; Newsday proclaims "Corbin may just be one of the year's breakout stars." And American Songwriter says "Easton has one of those rare, glorious voices that was made - just made - for singing country music." Easton wrote four songs for the record, which debuted as the #2 top-selling record on iTunes' Top Country Albums chart, as well as the #5 Top Album on the all-genre chart. Visit www.eastoncorbin.com or www.umgnashville.com to learn more about the Florida native.


About Steel Magnolia:

CMT's Can You Duet?  Season 2 winners Steel Magnolia (Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones) captivated America with their dynamic harmonies and musicianship that is one part Country and two parts Southern Soul.  Their win landed them a record deal with Big Machine Records - the home of Taylor Swift.  Since their win, Meghan and Joshua's debut single, "Keep On Lovin' You," has skyrocketed into the Top 15 on the Billboard Country Songs Chart and landed on the Valentine's Day Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.  Steel Magnolia are 2010 Academy of Country Music Award Nominees for Top Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal DuoFor more information on Steel Magnolia visit: www.bigmachinerecords.com/steelmagnolia.com or www.myspace.com/steelmagnoliamusic.com

About Josh Thompson:

Columbia Nashville recording artist Josh Thompson burst into the country music scene this year with his debut hit, "Beer On The Table," a down-to-earth anthem about working hard to party hard.  A native of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Josh began pouring concrete with his father at the age of 12, giving him first hand insight about the trials of hard-working people everywhere.  His debut album, Way Out Here, was produced by Michael Knox (Jason Aldean), and features 10 songs solely written or co-written by Josh.  Way Out Here has drawn praise from countless critics, including NPR Fresh Air's Ken Tucker and Billboard's Wade Jessen as well as People Magazine, Country Weekly, AOL's The Boot, CMT.com and others. For more info, check out www.joshthompsonofficial.com.

About Chevrolet:
Chevrolet is one of America's best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from "gas-friendly to gas-free," Chevrolet has 11 models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and strives to provide the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on the Volt, visit http://media.gm.com/volt or join the conversation at chevroletvoltage.com.

About Sea Ray Boats:

Founded in 1959, Sea Ray Boats is the world's largest manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats. Sea Ray is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., and operates as part of the Boat Group division of Brunswick Corporation. With more than 40 models ranging from 17 to 61 feet, Sea Ray makes a boat for every lifestyle - each built with a unique commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and excellence throughout. Additional information about Sea Ray is available at searay.com.

About Skinny Nutritional Corp.:

Headquartered in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., Skinny Nutritional Corp., the creators of Skinny WaterR, a zero-calorie, zero-sugar, zero-sodium and zero-preservative enhanced water. Skinny Water comes in six great tasting flavors that include Acai Grape Blueberry, Goji Fruit Punch, Peach Mango Mandarin, Raspberry Pomegranate, Orange Cranberry Tangerine and Lemonade Passionfruit. Skinny Nutritional Corp. also expects to launch additional branded products, including Skinny SportR, and other Skinny branded beverages. For more information, visit www.SkinnyWater.com.

About Hope Through Healing Hands:

Hope Through Healing Hands is a Nashville-based 501(c) (3) that promotes improved quality of life for citizens and communities around the world using health as a currency for peace. HTHH supports health students and residents to do service and training in underserved clinics around the world. For more information, go to www.hopethroughhealinghands.org.

H2O World Tour dates:

May 21                        Virginia Beach, VA                   Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

May 22                        Washington, DC                       Jiffy Lube Live

May 28                        Kansas City, MO                     Sprint Center               

May 29                        St. Louis, MO                          Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

June 4                          Toledo, OH                              Lucas County Arena

June 5                          Indianapolis, IN                        Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

June 6                          Cincinnati, OH                          Riverbend Music Pavilion

June 11                        Detroit, MI                               DTE Energy Music Theatre

June 12                        Pittsburgh, PA                          First Niagara Pavilion

June 18                        Darien Lake, NY                      Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center   

June 19                        Philadelphia, PA                       Susquehanna Bank Center

June 23                        London, England *                   Shepherds Bush Empire

June 24                        London, England *                   Shepherds Bush Empire

June 25                        Oslo, Norway *                       Notodden Music Festival

July 16                         Chicago, IL                              First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

July 17                         Moline, IL                                iWireless Center

July 22                         Toronto, ONT                          Molson Ampitheatre                

July 23                         Cleveland, OH                         Blossom Music Center

July 24                         Saratoga Springs, NY               Saratoga Performing Arts Center

July 25                         Harrington, DE*                       Delaware State Fair

August 5                       Hidalgo, TX                             State Farm Arena

August 6                       Houston, TX                            Woodlands Pavilion

August 7                       Dallas, TX                                Superpages.com Center

August 12                     Daytona Beach, F                     Ocean Center

August 13                     Tampa, FL                               Ford Amphitheatre

August 14                     West Palm Beach, FL               Cruzan Amphitheatre

August 21                     Boston, MA*                           Gillette Stadium

August 27                     Charlotte, NC                          Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

August 28                     Raleigh, NC                             Time Warner Cable Pavilion

September 9                 Spokane, WA                          Spokane Arena

September 10               Portland, OR                            The Amphitheatre at Clark County

September 11               Seattle, WA                             Gorge Amphitheatre                

September 15               Mountain View, CA                 Shoreline Amphitheatre

September 17               San Diego, CA                         Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre

September 18               Phoenix, AZ                             Cricket Wireless Pavilion

September 19               Albuquerque, NM                    The Pavilion

September 23               Boise, ID                                  Taco Bell Arena

September 24               Salt Lake City, UT                   USANA Amphitheatre

September 25               Denver, CO                             Comfort Dental Amphitheatre

Log on to www.bradpaisley.com and www.livenation.com for on-sale and up to date information on H2O World Tour - dates to be added.

* Paisley only shows.

# # #

 

Contact:

Darlene Bieber

Schmidt Relations

615-851-4917

[email protected]

           

 

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will visit Haiti together on Monday, March 22, 2010. It will be their first joint visit to the area. They will be traveling with several of the board members of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which to date has raised over $31 million from over 200,000 contributions for relief and recovery efforts.

For Immediate Release

March 18, 2010

Contact: Jenny Dyer

(615) 386-0045

HTHH Receives $386,424 of Pharmaceutical Gifts from Purdue Pharma for Haiti Aid

Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH), a Nashville-based organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals around the world and chaired by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, announced today the receipt of over $386,000 of gifts for relief efforts in Haiti.  The donations came from Purdue Pharma L.P. and its associated U.S. companies, which are privately held pharmaceutical companies known for pioneering research on persistent pain.

"There is ongoing and continuous need in Haiti, and I thank Purdue Pharma for their generous contribution to the relief efforts.  Their gift will go a long way to help the many who continue to suffer from the devastating earthquake earlier this year," said Senator Frist.

Purdue Pharma, headquartered in Stamford, CT, is engaged in the research, development, production, and distribution of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines and hospital products. Since the January earthquake in Haiti, they have donated close to $5 million in pharmaceutical products to aid the victims.

Purdue Pharma's approximate value donation of $386,424.96  to Hope Through Healing Hands included donations of products such Ryzolt® (tramadol HCl extended-release tablets) and Betadine® (povidone-iodine) Solution and Betadine® Surgical Scrub antiseptics for usage in clinics and hospitals in Haiti.

Hope Through Healing Hands has partnered with Healing Hands International, a Christian humanitarian relief organization that seeks to empower those who are living in poverty around the world.  Through this partnership, HTHH will distribute the Ryzolt®, Betadine® Solution and Betadine® Surgical Scrub antiseptics in Haiti.

Hope Through Healing Hands is a Nashville-based 501(c) (3) that promotes improved quality of life for citizens and communities around the world using health as a currency for peace. For more information, go to www.hopethroughhealinghands.org.

Purdue Pharma L.P., a privately held pharmaceutical company founded by physicians, is focused on meeting the needs of healthcare providers and the patients in their care. Together with Purdue Products L.P. and other independent associated companies, Purdue* is dedicated to finding, developing, and bringing to market new medicines and related products that improve health outcomes. We are known for our pioneering research on persistent pain, a principal cause of human suffering. Additional information about Purdue can be found at www.purduepharma.com.

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 www.hopethroughhealinghands.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             

March 18, 2010                                                                                  

Contact: Jenny Dyer

(615) 386-0045 

Frist Global Health Leaders Program Offers Funding for Student Service and Training Abroad

Nashville, Tenn. - Hope Through Healing Hands, a Nashville-based nonprofit organization chaired by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., has committed to providing fellowships for four students in the coming year - two students at Vanderbilt School of Nursing, one student at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, and one student at Meharry Medical College. These fellowships will provide health service and training in underserved communities for one semester during the 2010-2011 academic year. This is the second annual year of a partnership with Vanderbilt University and Meharry Medical College for this program.

"Last year was a successful year with the students from both Vanderbilt and Meharry Medical College," said Frist.  "In terms of patients who were seen and community health workers who were trained, the students did an outstanding job, and I am sure we will see similar positive results this year as well. We are excited for these new Global Health Leaders and for their work in the coming year."

Sten H. Vermund, M.D., Ph.D, Director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health notes, "The Frist Global Health Leaders program fills an important gap in opportunity for Vanderbilt and Meharry medical students and Vanderbilt nursing students, namely the opportunity to work overseas in a focused service capacity."

The students selected this year will be traveling to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Africa. They will bolster health services in clinics needing additional support, and they will be offering training to local community health workers with a goal toward sustainable health care. 

Hope through Healing Hands is a 501(c)3 promoting improved quality of life for communities around the world using health as a currency for peace.

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  www.hopethroughhealinghands.org

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