Designed for Disease Released

Designed for Disease, a new study on the retail food environment and health provides unambiguous evidence that the food options available in our communities play a major role in our health. The study, conducted by CCPHA, PolicyLink, and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, and released April 29, demonstrates that what is in our environment matters. People who live near an abundance of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores compared to grocery stores and produce vendors have a significantly higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes regardless of individual or community income.

People can’t be healthy without access to healthy food options.  We can create a healthy balance of options in neighborhoods with state and local policies directed at food access and quality by supporting policies that:

• Bring more grocery stores into communities that do not have adequate access
• Encourage the stocking of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food into convenience stores and small corner stores
• Limit the density of fast food outlets.

As members of the Rapid Response Media Network, we encourage you to watch for stories on Designed for Disease. When you see a story, respond with a letter to the editor encouraging policy that supports environmental change regarding access to healthy food. Be sure to include the items that link logically to the local policy you are advocating for so you can take advantage of the current news coverage to turn policy makers’ attention to the solutions you seek.

Please click here to go to our website for examples of letters to the editor and guidelines for submissions at various papers. If you want feedback on your letter, let us know. We’re happy to help. But act quickly: it’s best to send your letter the same day the news appears.

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WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE?

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity away from a focus solely on individual choice and lifestyle towards one of environmental influences and corporate and government responsibility. Current Steering Committee members are: California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program (CANFit), California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA), California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA), California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) , California Project LEAN, California WIC Association (CWA), Child Care Food Program Roundtable, Latino Health Access, Partnership for the Public’s Health, Prevention Institute, Samuels & Associates, and YMCA of the East Bay.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership. To join or for more information, please visit us on the Web, www.eatbettermovemore.org, or contact Linnea Ashley at 510.444.7738 or Linnea@preventioninstitute.org. And even if you're already a member, please forward this message on to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition. Thank you!

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and

physical activity - from a focus solely on individual choice and lifestyle,

towards one of environmental influences and corporate and government responsibility.

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