Featured Stories

 Save the date for the 5th annual ENACT Advocacy Day

Join fellow advocates on May 15th in Sacramento to share information with legislators about public policies that can improve eating and activity environments for all citizens.  ENACT 2007: Nutrition and Activity Day is designed for everyone to participate – parents, community leaders, and health, recreation, and transportation professionals.  The day will include a morning training and legislative visits in the afternoon.  There is no charge to participate and travel scholarships are available.

To register for ENACT 2007 or apply for a travel scholarship, please visit http://www.cfpa.net/ENACT2007/index.htm or contact Alyssa Walker at 530-297-6000.

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Legislative update

2007-2008 Legislative Session in Full Swing!

The 2007-08 legislative session took off to a running start and is continuing at a fast pace: a bevy of physical activity and nutrition related items have already been introduced; the Governor has proposed a Health Care Reform Plan that presents a rare and significant opportunity to improve health care access and increase preventative care measures; new legislators, both in the Senate and Assembly, have shown considerable interest in community health issues and may yet emerge as strong leaders and advocates for these important issues. This is the time and the year for nutrition, physical activity, and health related measures. read more

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Resources

Reading between the Lines: Understanding Food Industry Responses to Concerns about Nutrition

Berkeley Media Studies Group has released Reading between the Lines: Understanding Food Industry Responses to Concerns about Nutrition. Concerned about rising rates of diabetes and other nutrition-related diseases, public health advocates are demanding changes to the food and beverage industry. This Framing Brief describes how food and beverage companies are reacting to pressure from public health groups and explores the implications for framing public health’s responses to those actions. Read the brief to or visit http://www.bmsg.org.

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New Issue Briefs from Samuels and Associates 

Samuels and Associates is pleased to announce the release of three new briefs:

• Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in Health Care Settings
• Failing Fitness: Physical Activity and Physical Education in Schools
• Dollars and Sense: The Financial Impact of selling Healthier School Foods

Click on the links above to read the briefs or visit Samuels and Associates newly designed website at http://www.samuelsandassociates.com 

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Food Eco-Labels: A Purchasing Guide

In partnership with the Health Care Without Harm Campaign, Prevention Institute would like to announce the release of Food Eco-Labels: A Purchasing Guide.  The current, dominant food system favors the production of highly-refined, calorie-dense foods, such as the high fructose corn syrup and sweeteners used to make soft drinks and fast foods. Consumption of these high calorie-foods can lead to nutrition-related illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, the use of antibiotics and synthetic chemicals in traditional farming methods contributes to a myriad of health problems. Institutions, such as hospitals and local government entities, have the opportunity to help prevent these food-related health concerns by creating a demand for sustainably-produced food, while at the same time modeling good nutrition in their institutions and influencing how food is produced and distributed. read more

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Yale Researchers Weigh the Science on Soft Drinks and Health

On March 26th, Yale University researchers released results of a study showing clearly that soft drinks are associated with increased caloric intake, higher body weight, a decrease in calcium and other nutrients, and increased risk of Type II diabetes.  The report also noted that studies funded by the food industry were much less likely to show detrimental effects from soft drinks than studies that received no industry funding.  “It is alarming that industry-funded studies so consistently favor industry and that these reports muddy what are otherwise clear waters,” said Kelly D. Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale. “Studies funded by the food industry simply did not find the degree of negative health effects from soft drinks that independent scholars discovered.”

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Californians Living in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Lack Access to Parks and Get Less Physical Activity

Teens living in neighborhoods with high concentrations of low-income households are unlikely to have a safe park near their home and are more likely to get less physical activity, according to a new policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. “These findings tell us that neighborhood, social and economic factors contribute greatly to adolescent health,” said Susan H. Babey, lead author of the brief and a research scientist at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Download the brief or visit http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu for more information.

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Announcements

2007 School Wellness Conference Call for Proposals

In an effort to create healthier school environments, the California School Boards Association, the California Department of Education and the Department of Health Services have partnered to present the 2007 School Wellness Conference.  The conference organizers are seeking proposals for this two-day event, which takes place at the Anaheim Marriott, October 1 and 2, 2007.

Submit a model program workshop or table talk proposal by Friday, April 20, 2007.  Proposal forms and conference details are posted by the conference host, CSBA, at http://www.csba.org/events/swc.

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Upcoming Events

Connecting the Dots: How our physical landscape is impacting health

Thursday, March 29, Denver, CO

Eliminating Childhood Obesity: Best Practices for Communities and Schools

Fri, March 30, Los Angeles, CA

CPHEN's Planning for a Healthier Tomorrow

April 3 (LA), 10 (Fresno), 12 (Oakland), 26 (San Diego)

Buying Structural Pest Management Services: Smart Purchasing Reduces Pest Complaints and Pesticide Use

April 18, Los Angeles

California Hunger Action Coalition’s 10th Annual Hunger Action Day

Tues, May 8, Sacramento and Los Angeles

ENACT 2007: Nutrition and Activity Day

Tues, May 15th, Sacramento

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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 Sana@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.

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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