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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Christine ClaytonOctober 31, 2012 (609) 627-5759

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 systemamong successes from $9 billion in grantmaking over 40 years

Princeton, NJ The board of trustees of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nations largestphilanthropy focused exclusively on improving U.S. health and health care, marked its 40th anniversarylast week by approving up to $425 million in grantmaking during 2013. Funding will be focused in threeinterrelated areas: increasing efforts that help people stay healthy; lowering national health 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 improve health nationallyand in dozens of targeted communities. Since its inception in 1972, the Foundation has awarded morethan $9 billion in grants, with grantees located throughout the country.

Robert Wood Johnsons legacy is one of tremendous service and incredible foresight in addressing themost pressing challenges facing the health of all Americans, said former New Jersey Governor Thomas

Kean, chairman of RWJFs board of trustees. Decades after he made plans for his foundations work, weremain firmly rooted as one of the nations most reliable, responsive and enduring social institutions. Ibelieve were doing exactly what both the public and private sector needs us to do to improve health andhealth care in America.

RWJFs contributions to U.S. health care are vast. Work supported by the Foundation in previous decadesdirectly contributed to forging the nations 911 emergency system, the landmark Ryan White

Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, dramatic reductions in the use of tobacco products, andchanged perceptions about options 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 ourresponsibility as Americas largest health care philanthropy if we run from the toughest problems.

RWJF was formed in 1972 after the death of Robert Wood Johnson II, former chairman of Johnson &Johnson. Its initial funding was roughly $1.2 billion. Today RWJF has an endowment of roughly $9 billion.Due to prudent financial management, the Foundation enjoys the same buying power in 2012 as it did atits inception.

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Significant grantmaking in 2012 has included efforts to:

Improve care for chronically ill people living in rural areas Project ECHOenables primary care

providers and medical specialists to work together regardless of where each is located. Virtual clinics,similar to the grand rounds of major teaching hospitals, educate doctors in remote locales on the latestmedical research and treatments.

Raise the overall quality of care Aligning Forces for Qualityis quantifiably lifting the overall quality ofhealth care in 16 targeted communities, as well as reducing racial and ethnic disparities and providinglocally tested models for broader reforms.

Create future health care leaders TheRWJF Clinical Scholarsprogram has provided postdoctoraltraining for more than 1,100 young physicians interested in research and leadership careers in healthpolicy and academic medicine.

Make neighborhoods healthy and safe RWJFs County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program helpsevery county in America make it easier for people to be healthy in their own communities, focusing onspecific factors that evidence shows affect health.

Reverse the obesity epidemic. RWJFs efforts to reduce and preventchildhood obesityhelp allchildren and families eat well and move more, especially those in communities at highest risk.

Better understand health and health systems TheDartmouth Atlas Projectdocuments variations inhow medical resources are distributed and used nationwide. This research helps policymakers and healthcare analysts improve health and health systems across America.

Ensure Americas primary care needs are met Future of Nursing: Campaign for Actionis an initiative

to advance comprehensive health care change. It envisions a nation where all Americans have access tohigh-quality, patient-centered care in a health care system where nurses contribute as essentialpartners in achieving success.

Re-imagine long term care TheGreen House Conceptis turning traditional views of long-term careinside out. It establishes small houses for long-term care needs, rather than the large-scale institutionstraditionally associated with nursing 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 futuresolutions. Thats the role of 21st century philanthropists. We look at what no one else seems able or

willing to do, and we give it a shot.

For more information, visitwww.rwjf.org.###

About the Robert Wood Johnson FoundationThe Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nations largestphilanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals toidentify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change. For 40 years the Foundation has brought experience,commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes tohelping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For moreinformation, visitwww.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitterwww.rwjf.org/twitteror Facebookwww.rwjf.org/facebook.

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