ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION MARKS 40 YEARS; BOARD APPROVES OVER $400 MILLION FOR IMPROVING HEALTH IN 2013

Curbing tobacco use, combating childhood obesity, developing 911 system among su ccesses from $9 billion in grantmaking over 40 years Princeton, NJ The board of trustees of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) , the nations largest philanthropy focused exclusively on improving U.S. health a nd health care, marked its 40th anniversary last week by approving up to $425 mi llion in grantmaking during 2013. Funding will be focused in three interrelated areas: increasing efforts that help people stay healthy; lowering national healt h care costs; and improving access to high-quality care, delivered by a diverse and abundant workforce. RWJF intends to award funds in 2013 to hundreds of organizations working to impr ove health nationally and in dozens of targeted communities. Since its inception in 1972, the Foundation has awarded more than $9 billion in grants, with grante es located throughout the country. Robert Wood Johnsons legacy is one of tremendous service and incredible foresight in addressing the most pressing challenges facing the health of all Americans, sa id former New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean, chairman of RWJFs board of trustees. De cades after he made plans for his foundations work, we remain firmly rooted as on e of the nations most reliable, responsive and enduring social institutions. I be lieve were doing exactly what both the public and private sector needs us to do t o improve health and health care in America. RWJFs contributions to U.S. health care are vast. Work supported by the Foundatio n in previous decades directly contributed to forging the nations 911 emergency s ystem, the landmark Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, drama tic reductions in the use of tobacco products, and changed perceptions about opt ions such as hospice care at the end of life. Whatever issues are the most vexing responding to AIDS, an unprecedented shortage of nurses, millions of children being uninsured, astounding racial inequalities in health care these are the issues weve taken on, said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, RWJF president and CEO. We cannot accept our responsibility as Americas largest he alth care philanthropy if we run from the toughest problems. RWJF was formed in 1972 after the death of Robert Wood Johnson II, former chairm an of Johnson & Johnson. Its initial funding was roughly $1.2 billion. Today RWJ F has an endowment of roughly $9 billion. Due to prudent financial management, t he Foundation enjoys the same buying power in 2012 as it did at its inception. Significant grantmaking in 2012 has included efforts to: Improve care for chronically ill people living in rural areas Project ECHO enabl es primary care providers and medical specialists to work together regardless of where each is located. Virtual clinics, similar to the grand rounds of major te aching hospitals, educate doctors in remote locales on the latest medical resear ch and treatments. Raise the overall quality of care Aligning Forces for Quality is quantifiably lif ting the overall quality of health care in 16 targeted communities, as well as r educing racial and ethnic disparities and providing locally tested models for br oader reforms. Create future health care leaders The RWJF Clinical Scholars program has provide d postdoctoral training for more than 1,100 young physicians interested in resea rch and leadership careers in health policy and academic medicine.

Make neighborhoods healthy and safe RWJFs County Health Rankings and Roadmaps pr ogram helps every county in America make it easier for people to be healthy in t heir own communities, focusing on specific factors that evidence shows affect he alth. Reverse the obesity epidemic. RWJFs efforts to reduce and prevent childhood obesi ty help all children and families eat well and move more, especially those in co mmunities at highest risk. Better understand health and health systems The Dartmouth Atlas Project document s variations in how medical resources are distributed and used nationwide. This research helps policymakers and health care analysts improve health and health s ystems across America. Ensure Americas primary care needs are met Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action is an initiative to advance comprehensive health care change. It envisions a na tion where all Americans have access to high-quality, patient-centered care in a health care system where nurses contribute as essential partners in achieving s uccess. Re-imagine long term care The Green House Concept is turning traditional views o f long-term care inside out. It establishes small houses for long-term care need s, rather than the large-scale institutions traditionally associated with nursin g homes. The program has quickly expanded to 137 houses. Our future grant making aims to tackle Americas current health challenges head on, said Lavizzo-Mourey. We wont succeed on every front no one does but the lessons we learn will inform future solutions. Thats the role of 21st century philanthropis ts. We look at what no one else seems able or willing to do, and we give it a sh ot. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. ### About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health car e issues facing our country. As the nations largest philanthropy devoted exclusiv ely to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of orga nizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measu rable, and timely change. For 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, co mmitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the heal th and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead h ealthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a diff erence in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the F oundation on Twitter www.rwjf.org/twitter or Facebook www.rwjf.org/facebook. Media Contact: Kristin Brown (202) 745-5117; kbrown@gymr.com