MEDIA ADVISORY:
Contact:
Christopher Camire
Senior Director of Communications
American Heart Association
781.373.4521
[email protected]
WHAT: Too many kids and families in Massachusetts are suffering from preventable chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and tooth decay. Sugary drinks are the single largest source of added sugar in the American diet. A sugary drink tax can improve the financial health of our commonwealth and the physical health of our children. The revenue from a tiered tax on sugary drinks will raise at least $368 million for the Children’s Health Promotional Fund. This will provide critical funding for access to clean safe drinking water in our communities, to fund the Prevention and Wellness Trust, and other programs helping children and families most in need. Join the briefing to learn more how an excise tax on sugary drinks can encourage people to make healthier beverage choices.
- WHEN: 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2017
- WHERE: Room 428, Massachusetts State House
- WHO: State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Public Health; Former Boston Bruins player Bob Sweeney and former Bruins strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides; Dr. David Ludwig, MD, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital and director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center; Allyson Perron Drag, Senior Government Relations Director, American Heart Association.