We Can! Pittsburgh

We Can!™ (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition) is a science-based, national education program developed by the National Institutes of Health – part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – to help children ages 8-13 improve food choices, increase physical activity, and reduce screen time. We Can! is unique among existing youth obesity-prevention initiatives in its focus on reaching parents and families as a primary group for influencing young people.

On November 29, 2007, Pittsburgh was designated a We Can! city by the National Institutes of Health. UPMC Health Plan, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Children’s Community Pediatrics, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, and H.J. Heinz Company joined together for a kick-off event at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. View our Pittsburgh Partners page for more information on these organizations.

The We Can! program empowers parents in Western Pennsylvania with innovative resources to help their families maintain healthy lifestyles. UPMC Health Plan is working with the partners to develop We Can! programming focused on healthy eating and active lifestyles for the youth of Western Pennsylvania.

We Can! was designed so local civic groups, parent groups, churches, and others can implement activities in their communities. We Can! reaches parents and caregivers in home and community settings with educational materials and activities, including a course for parents, a Web site, a parent handbook in both English and Spanish, science-based youth programs, nutrition and physical activity tip sheets, and community events and projects.

To date, nearly 600 community sites in 46 states have committed to use We Can! program materials and organize classes and events.