In recognition of his significant contributions to public health and tobacco prevention, and his long-standing support of community-based drug prevention, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) will present Howard K. Koh M.D., M.P.H. with its 2015 National Leadership Award. He will receive the award Thursday, Feb. 5 at 12:30 p.m. at CADCA's 25th Annual National Leadership Forum during the Awards Luncheon.
CADCA's National Leadership Award recognizes leaders who have been longtime supporters of the community coalition movement and who use their voice and influence to educate the community about the importance of reducing substance use and abuse.
Dr. Koh is Professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership and Director of the Leading Change Studio at the Harvard School of Public Health. From 2009-2014, Dr. Koh served as the 14th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). During that time he oversaw 12 core public health offices, including the Office of the Surgeon General and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, 10 Regional Health Offices across the nation and 10 Presidential and Secretarial advisory committees. He also served as senior public health advisor to the Secretary. During his tenure, he championed the critical public health dimensions of the Affordable Care Act, promoted the enrollment of underserved populations into health insurance coverage and was the primary architect of landmark HHS strategic plans for tobacco control, health disparities and chronic hepatitis. He also led interdisciplinary implementation of Healthy People 2020 and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy as well as initiatives in a multitude of other areas – from nutrition and physical activity (including HHS activities for Let's Move!) to adolescent health and behavioral health.
"It is with such great pleasure that we're recognizing Dr. Koh with our National Leadership Award. He is without a doubt one of the great public health champions of our time not only for his public health tobacco work, but also for his interest in the power of local people to move a public health agenda," said Gen. Arthur T. Dean, CADCA Chairman and CEO. "He helped bring tobacco control to the national forefront and always understood and valued the role that community-based prevention played in addressing this issue."
"Prevention saves lives, and CADCA saves lives every day in every community. I am honored to share in the mission and dreams of this inspiring organization," Dr. Koh said.
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