Statement of Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Billed as a "teach-in" to raise public consciousness about the dangers of
pollution, the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 drew 20 million Americans who
wanted to express their concerns about the environment. Four decades later the
Earth Day message still resonates across the country, around the world, and here
at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), because public health is
inextricably linked to a healthy environment.

Pollutants, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise are important risk factors for
chronic disease in this country. These risk factors have been shown to be
associated with the environment. One reason childhood obesity is at epidemic
levels is the shortage of safe green space to go outside and play. Around the
world, we`re already seeing and anticipating increased air pollution, more
intense hurricanes, and heat waves linked to global climate change that threaten
our health.

I am celebrating Earth Day at a Chicago public housing project that has made a
commitment to being smoke-free. That`s good for the air in the building, and
good for families and neighbors, who will breathe less second-hand smoke.

I hope you will join me in observing Earth Day 2010, and make a commitment to
follow through on the message it sends. Celebrating Earth Day reminds everyone
that protecting the environment is one of the most important commitments you can
make to the health of the planet, and to the health of every American.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

HHS Press Office
202-690-6343

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