WASHINGTON, D.C. July 10, 2014 Following is a statement from John Seffrin, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), on the departure of Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H., assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Howard Koh 's distinguished tenure at HHS was marked by an unparalleled commitment to public health and unprecedented efforts to improve access among low-income and medically underserved populations to disease prevention and early detection measures that are proven to save lives.
Dr. Koh turned what was already the highest-level federal position focusing on public health into a public platform for urging Americans in every corner of the country to adopt healthy behaviors that can prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and reduce health care costs.
Dr. Koh led or played a major role in historic federal efforts to lower the number of uninsured and underinsured Americans, make kids and adults aware of the range of health hazards caused by tobacco use, educate the public about the benefits of colorectal cancer screening, increase the number of low-income people with access to proven cancer screening tests such as mammography, reduce child obesity and so much more.
Howard Koh is a true champion of public health with a legacy of achievement in public service that has improved the well-being of millions of Americans and saved countless lives. The American Cancer Society is proud to call him a dedicated and long-time volunteer in support of our mission to defeat cancer. The Society and ACS CAN wish him the best of luck in his new position at the Harvard School of Public Health and look forward to continuing our lifesaving work together.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit https://www.fightcancer.org/.
For More Info, Contact:
Steven Weiss or Lauren Walens
Phone: 202-661-5711 or 202-661-5763
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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