During the last several months, California's Governor stepped up activity in his healthy living initiative. The program, Active California, encourages healthy living through comprehensive action ranging from exercise to diet to parenting.

At the same time, governors nationwide expanded their efforts to focus attention on healthy living. The National Governors' Association (NGA) launched its own new initiative, Healthy America, on the heels of the arrival of its new chairman, Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has also expanded its attempts to bring national attention to healthier living. A recent series of television and radio spots feature the latest HHS program, Small Step.

Why is so much space suddenly being devoted to healthy living, and why are our leaders so concerned about the well being of Americans as a society?

The state of our Union's bodies tell the tale. According to Small Step, "two out of every three Americans are now overweight or obese... and that number is rising."

At least in part, this national health crisis has serious implications for the healthcare system and the burden placed upon it by such related issues as adult onset diabetes.

With an aging population and accompanying rise in healthcare costs, investing in this form of preventive measure must yield returns or the system will face an accelerated decline not only in health, but also in the accessibility of doctors and practitioners who might otherwise be overcome by the demands of patients with these lifestyle conditions.

Every American is being asked to accept this challenge. Explore healthy living through these programs:

• Governor Schwarzenegger's Active California Initiative.
• The National Governors' Association's Healthy America Initiative.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Small Step Initiative.
• More from HHS on Being Healthy.