Clinton’s Coachella cure

Former President Bill Clinton has tackled the issue of health inequalities in California’s Coachella Valley through the William J. Clinton Foundation.

The Clinton Health Matters Initiative—which will also be launched in Little Rock, Ark.—will attempt to reduce preventable diseases and reduce health disparities associated with income, race and education, according to media reports.

The foundation has partnered with General Electric, Tenet Healthcare and Verizon, all of which will begin or expand wellness programs—such as farmers’ markets, no-cost exercise classes, smoking-cessation programs and walking groups—for their workforces. Clinton’s foundation has taken a similar approach to childhood obesity, partnering with beverage companies to eliminate sugary beverages from schools.

Health disparities and preventable illness “are robbing people of a lot of good years. We can’t let that continue,” Clinton said.