HHS Partners with Ad Council, Others to Promote YouTube Wellness Campaign

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Advertising Council, the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the Boys and Girls Club of American (BGCA) are launching a contest on the video-sharing Web site YouTube to promote healthy eating and active living among teens and young adults, Broadcasting and Cable reports. The Small Steps Obesity Prevention public service advertising campaign encourages individuals between the ages of 14 and 24 to submit original videos demonstrating the power of taking small steps to improve one's health. The 10 videos viewed most frequently between October 8 and October 28 will be judged by a panel of advertising professionals, health officials and representatives from the BGCA and NBA. The grand prize winner will receive $2,500 in cash and NBA merchandise, while four runners up will each receive $500 in NBA merchandise. The contest, part of the ongoing HHS obesity prevention campaign, "provides an opportunity for young adults to inspire others to make small steps toward a healthier life," Secretary Mike Leavitt said (Eggerton, Broadcasting and Cable, 9/12/08; Ad Council release, 9/12/08).