A Component of the Highmark Healthy High 5 Initiative

In September of 2006, the Highmark Foundation launched Highmark healthy high 5, a five-year, $100 million community initiative created to reverse the current trends in children's health and to promote lifelong healthy habits in children in the 49 counties served by Highmark, Inc. Highmark healthy high 5 addresses five critical children's health issues – nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem, grieving and bullying – through education, communications, volunteerism, grants and programming.

The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Windber Research Institute is excited to continue their partnership with the Highmark Foundation by directing a significant bullying prevention component of Highmark healthy high 5. This component, named HALT! A Bullying Prevention Program, will bring a systematic school-based approach to districts in Pennsylvania who are seeking help with bullying prevention. Matthew Masiello, M.D., MPH, Director, The Center for Health Promotion and Disease prevention, believes that, “The Windber Research Institute now has the potential to provide an important health promotion program to over 215,000 Pennsylvania children and their families. Our efforts will hopefully change behaviors and benefit generations of our citizens for years to come.”