Rhona S. Applebaum, PhD
Vice President and Chief Scientific & Regulatory Officer
The Coca-Cola Company
Which of the 8 Sectors
are you involved in and why did you choose that particular
sector?
Business and Industry. But the focus on the need for workplace wellness goes beyond this sector. All employers have an important role in helping to advance the health of their employees and the communities in which they operate. First and foremost, business and industry are important sectors in communities across the nation. Healthy communities are the foundation and the future for sustainable businesses—both from an employee and a consumer base. Healthy communities and healthy citizens equal healthy businesses—no doubt about it.
Success will require business and industry to work in alignment with all key stakeholders to develop opportunities and workable solutions to advance targeted public health goals. To this end, it is essential that public-private partnerships and collaborative efforts are supported and become a standard operating model to advance new ideas and empower consumers. I truly believe that by working together, we can – and must – identify and help implement practical solutions to help people, especially children, achieve active, balanced and healthy lifestyles.
What's most
exciting to you about the U.S. having a National Physical
Activity Plan?
At The Coca-Cola Company, we care about our employees and our consumers and are committed to helping promote active, healthy living for people of all ages. A National Physical Activity Plan plays an important role in developing practical, effective ways to enable consumers to take action for themselves and their families in achieving healthy weights and lifestyles through regular physical activity.
What will success
of the NPAP look like to you in 3 years, 5 years? 10 years?
Physical activity is vital to the health and well-being of everyone. It is also important in helping to maintain energy balance—balancing ‘calories in with calories out’. A common goal is to help reduce inactivity and increase physical activity, but never forget the importance of a sensible, balanced diet.
It is mind-boggling to imagine the impact on health and wellness if a nucleus of people in the community or workplace were given the education and opportunities to help make a positive difference. What they learn could then be shared with their families, their friends, their neighbors. Before you know it—we’d be in the midst of a health revolution. That’s what success looks like to me—every person in every community across this great nation engaged and doing what they can to be active and healthy. Not to harken back to the days of yesteryear, but it reminds me of the John Lennon song, “Imagine.” As that song goes (and I paraphrase)…
“Some would say I’m a dreamer,
But I'm not the only one,
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be a more active, healthier and happier
one!”