Imagine what every Pennsylvania resident could do with his or her share of a $64 billion windfall, or what we as a community could do with an extra $64 billion. But this is money we don't have in Pennsylvania because we have to spend it on medical treatment and lost work time related to avoidable chronic diseases, according to a study by the Milken Institute released last week and covered by the Post-Gazette.

These chronic diseases are caused or made worse by unhealthy lifestyles. And although the Milken Institute report did not break down the numbers by metropolitan area, we know that the Pittsburgh region is contributing to these shocking statistics. Other studies indicate that nearly 25 percent of Pittsburgh adults reported participating in no physical activity in the past month and that more than 75 percent of adults in Pittsburgh eat fewer than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day.

The Milken study estimates that by improving our lifestyles, not only would we save money on medical treatment and lost work time, we could stimulate the Pennsylvania economy to grow by $158 billion, an 18 percent increase.

To address our region's extraordinary health risks related to chronic obesity and widespread unfitness, we must collaborate in broad-based community partnerships that include businesses, community groups, health-care organizations and schools. These partnerships should create convenient, low-cost ways for people to participate in programs that will improve their existing health problems and promote long-term wellness.

That's why the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh joined with Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, UPMC, PNC Financial Services, Del Monte, YouthPlaces and other regional organizations two years ago to launch a coordinated wellness campaign to address obesity and unhealthy lifestyles in Western Pennsylvania and to promote the many opportunities for Pittsburghers to improve their health and wellness.

It's called Activate Pittsburgh and it's making Western Pennsylvania a national leader in community-based programming to improve the health and fitness of a region. Activate Pittsburgh is one of 14 pilot programs that make up a national initiative, Activate America, which has partial federal funding thanks to the efforts of Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter. Activate Pittsburgh has already implemented a number of programs to encourage healthier lifestyles:

Highmark and the YMCA are offering classes in nutrition, stress management and smoking cessation at five YMCA branches and 34 work sites.

The YMCA is providing health and wellness classes in 15 UPMC hospitals for more than 400 UPMC employees.

The YMCA has replaced high sugar, processed foods with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and 2-percent milk in our after-school snacks for children in 40 YMCA after-school programs.

Children at 37 YMCA after-school sites are participating in the A.S.A.P. program, a health and wellness project designed for children to increase physical activity, learn about good nutrition and adopt life-long healthy habits.

While we are proud of what Activate Pittsburgh has accomplished in two short years, we realize that much more should be done. More employers need to recognize that they have a vested interest in the health and well-being not only of their employees, but also of the next generation and of our retirees. As the Milken Institute study demonstrates, the hidden costs of unhealthy lifestyles are not so hidden anymore and are choking our economy.

But no business can address the challenge of improving the health of its employees alone. We think the Activate Pittsburgh model of creating partnerships within the community is the right one. Each partner can contribute its expertise, and by spreading the cost among all the partners, we create synergies that can accomplish much more than working alone.

A recent study by Purdue University suggests that businesses can save an average of three dollars for every dollar spent on a health and wellness program for employees. And imagine the dollars that future employers and we as a society can save by instilling healthy lifestyle habits in our children and by keeping our elderly population fit and active!

We cannot afford to lose ground in our battle against inactivity, weight gain and poor health. We are facing a public health emergency that requires all sectors of the community to come together to restore and protect the health of our people.