Featured Stories

Concern Over Governor’s Obesity Plan Raised in Senate Hearing

Last week, the California Senate Select Committee on Obesity and Diabetes held a hearing on the status of implementation of the Governor’s 2006 Obesity Prevention Plan. Led by Senator Padilla (D-CA), a panel of Strategic Alliance Steering Committee members provided expert testimony. There was consensus among health advocates and legislators that more action needs to be taken by the administration to implement the policy strategies put forth in the original plan two years ago. Stay tuned for a special in-depth report on the hearing next week!

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In the News

Californians Unsatisfied by State’s Approach to Reducing Obesity

Californians consider unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity the greatest health risks facing kids today, according to a new statewide study released by Field Research Corporation.  The study, funded by The California Endowment, reveals that concern over poor nutrition and physical inactivity tops concern over drug use and smoking. The release of the field poll coincided with last Wednesday’s state Senate Select Committee’s hearing on the Governor’s Obesity Plan, which found that government needs to take stronger action in implementing the policy strategies outlined the in the plan.

Preliminary findings show widespread agreement among Californians that little progress has been made in reducing the problem of childhood obesity in California over the past five years. A majority of those surveyed felt that federal, state and local authorities are currently doing too little to combat the problem. According to Mark DiCamillo, Senior Vice President of Field Research Corporation, who directed the study, “the public wants and expects government to do something about the problem, and so far they have been disappointed with the progress being made.” Read the poll, press release, & find out what you can do.

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When will there be Fruit?

How much longer must families struggle to make nutritious food purchases in the face of misleading advertising?  One year after exposing the deceptive packaging of over half of the most aggressively marketed children's foods, a new study uncovered few changes in the packaging or ingredients of 37 examined products.  The findings from this anniversary report, When Will There Be Fruit? Fruit Content of the Most Highly-Advertised Children's Food and Beverages, suggest the need for greater governmental regulation and oversight in how food and beverage products, particularly those targeted towards children, are packaged and marketed.  Access Prevention Institute’s When Will There Be Fruit? study, press release, and press kit or read Strategic Alliance’s Setting the Bar, the companion document with recommendations for food and beverage industry action to support people in making nutritious food choices.  

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Resources

Updated County Profiles on Poverty and Food Insecurity in California 

Interested in providing evidence of the need for healthy, affordable food in your community?  Wondering to what extent federal nutrition programs can work to alleviate this need? California Food Policy Advocates recently updated their County Profiles of Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in California, which feature county specific data on poverty and food insecurity in all of California’s 58 counties, as well as statewide data.  The profiles also offer data on obesity and diabetes, and on participation in various federal nutrition assistance programs, including food stamps, WIC, and school meals. Click here to read more about the profiles.

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Unnatural Causes: Is Inequity Making Us Sick?

Don’t miss the opportunity to have Unnatural Causes: Is Inequity Making Us Sick? broadcast in your community.  This forthcoming documentary sounds the alarm about America’s glaring socio-economic and racial inequities in health. It is scheduled to air nationally on 4 consecutive Thursdays at 10pm: March 27, April 3, 10, and 17. Click here for tips on how to encourage your local PBS station to air Unnatural Causes or to read more about this groundbreaking film, click here.  Want more after you watch?  Check out Prevention Institute’s approach to health equity or the Strategic Alliance’s Unnatural Causes webpage for ways to create positive changes in your own food and activity environments.

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Announcements

Book Signing with Robert Gottlieb, Director of the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute

March 12, 2008; Oakland, CA

Join Prevention Institute for a special Bay Area event featuring author, Robert Gottlieb, discussing his newest book, Reinventing Los Angeles: Nature and Community in the Global City, and the powerful influences of immigration and economic globalization as they intersect with changes in the politics of water, transportation, and land use (Download an event flyer). Please help spread the word!

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CANFIT scholarships – Nutrition, Physical Education and Culinary Arts Scholarships

Scholarships now available!  Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are available for California African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian-American, Pacific Islander or Latino/Hispanic students expressing financial need to study nutrition, physical education or culinary arts in the state of California. Checks will be mailed to the educational institution and are to be used toward tuition and fees. Instructions for scholarship applications are available here.  The necessary forms for application include the Cover Sheet, Financial Status and Recommendation Form.  The application deadline is March 31, 2008.

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Upcoming Events

March 2008

The Ethics of Food and the Environment

Events March 3 - -April 23, Palo Alto, CA

Building Successful Community-Based Initiatives: Community Food Programs

March 3rd and 4th, Oakland, CA

Sustainable Food in Health Care Roundtable
March 5th, Oakland, CA; 2-5pm

Regional Equity ‘08: Summit on Equitable Development, Social Justice, and Smart Growth

March 5-7, New Orleans

CA Center for Public Health Advocacy 2008 Awards Luncheon and Fundraiser

March 6th, Los Angeles, CA; 12-1:30pm

Celebration of Nutrition and Fitness Advocacy in California

March 6, Los Angeles, CA

California Food and Justice Coalition Membership Meetings

Meetings February 19th-March 4th across CA

Book Signing with Robert Gottlieb at Prevention Institute

March 12, Oakland, CA; 6:45-8:30pm

Climate Change, Land Use, Sustainability, and Public Health

March 13-14, Davis, CA

More Events

~        Spring       ~       Summer       ~       Fall       ~

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Thanks for reading!  The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership.  If you were forwarded this e-mail and want to receive your own copy in the future, please click here or e-mail carol@preventioninstitute.org.  And if you’re already a member, please forward this message to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition.  Thank you!

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.

The Strategic Alliance is supported by funding from The California Endowment.

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