Maryland

Maryland is bisected by the Chesapeake Bay and bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, making it a well-known attraction for boaters, fisherman and beach-lovers. One the culinary front, Maryland is known for its blue crab, which you can find plenty of in its biggest city, Baltimore. One attribute the state would not like to be known for, though, is its high rate of childhood obesity: nearly 1 in 3 children in Maryland is overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems.

Thanks to support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is working with communities throughout the state to make it easier for kids to lead healthier lives.

Our Work in Maryland

In Maryland, we’re making it easier for kids to develop healthy habits.

More than 750 schools serving over 481,000 students across the state have joined Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, 77 Maryland schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts.

We’ve also made it easier for over 13,500 youth in 177 out-of-school time programs to eat right and move more through our Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative.

Success Stories

Hear from two school champions from just one of the many districts we work with in Maryland: Prince George’s County School District, enrolled with the Healthy Schools Program since 2008.

Healthier Generation complements my work by providing a comprehensive framework that uses six steps to impact and redefine school health. Their free tools help to create healthier communities by engaging all stakeholders, promoting advocacy and changing the health landscapes within schools.

Deborah Archer

Nutrition Educator, Prince George’s County Public Schools, MD

I had a student attend all of the sessions of a before-school workout club and by the end of the year, he finally had enough confidence to join his first sports team!

Stephanie Kohout

Physical Education Teacher, Prince George's County Public Schools, MD

From Our Program Manager

Our Healthy Schools Program Manager supports our work in Maryland schools. Hear from her about the impact we’re making in Maryland. 

Through the Healthy Schools Program, Maryland schools are creating healthier environments to improve wellness for both students and staff. I love being able to help schools achieve their wellness goals and make a lasting difference in our community.

Michelle Caruso

Healthy Schools Program Manager, Maryland