STRATEGIC ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER

March 2005

Welcome to the latest newsletter from the Strategic Alliance. In this issue, we highlight the new Taking Action recommendations, ENACT Advocacy Day, and the Los Angeles Child Nutrition Policy.

Taking Action For A Healthier California

Taking Action for a Healthier California: Recommendations to Improve Healthy Food and Activity Options has been finalized with suggestions from many of you, and presents a clear and compelling agenda for making our schools, neighborhoods, cities and state healthier places to live and work. We ask for your organization’s active endorsement of this document as a way to demonstrate California’s growing movement to advance comprehensive and lasting solutions to improving community food and activity environments. Although it is unclear if and when the Governor’s Childhood Obesity Conference will occur, the Alliance will utilize Taking Action to inform Governor Schwarzenegger, his administration, and civic and business leaders of the changes that are needed to stem the poor nutrition and physical inactivity health crisis. To endorse Taking Action, please visit this page.

Be Part Of The Movement—Join Us At ENACT Nutrition And Activity Day, Sacramento, CA: Thursday, April 28, 2005

The Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food & Activity Environments, the California State PTA, the California Park and Recreation Society, and the California Alliance for Transportation Choices are co-sponsoring the third annual ENACT: Nutrition and Activity Day on Thursday, April 28, 2005. Three hundred people have registered to date, representing the many different organizations concerned about nutrition and physical activity. Join this broad coalition in Sacramento to meet with legislators about policy solutions to the obesity epidemic. You can register online by visiting http://www.cfpa.net/ENACT2005/registration.htm, or for more information, contact Jessica at 415-777-4422 x129 or jreich@cfpa.net.

City Of Los Angeles Passes Comprehensive Child Nutrition Policy

The Los Angeles City Council has made history by being the largest city to pass nutritional guidelines for city youth programs. The new guidelines aim to reduce the consumption of unhealthy food and beverages at city facilities and city programs and increase the intake of healthy food and beverages by establishing standards similar to SB 19 (Escutia). In addition to increasing access to nutritional foods, the guidelines aim to provide nutrition education to city staff and children that participate in city programs. In order to meet the new standards, city-run youth programs and all other city facilities will need to add and increase access to more nutritious items such as 100% juice, milk, water, and fresh fruits and vegetables in vending machines and on their menus. To view the policy, please visit http://www.preventioninstitute.org/sa/pdf/city_of_los_angeles_child_nutrition_policy.pdf.

California Project LEAN Receives Prestigious National Award!

California Project LEAN, Strategic Alliance Steering Committee member, recently received the 2004 Innovation in Prevention Award for its "Successful Students Through Healthy Food Policies" project in partnership with the California School Boards Association. The award was given by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary in a ceremony held in Washington D.C. on December 7, 2004. California Project LEAN was recognized for its efforts in developing tools and resources to assist school boards to develop and adopt healthy nutrition policies—making the link between healthy eating and academic achievement. Secretary Tommy Thompson praised the project as he recognized that “Students who are properly nourished are better prepared to learn, making the benefit life-long.”

Apply For The California Fit Business Award

Sponsored by the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness and the California 5 a Day-Be Active! Worksite Program, the California Fit Business Award will recognize workplaces that emphasize a healthy work environment in regards to access to healthy eating, physical activity, and health care. To fill out an application, visit http://www.24hourfitness.com/db/fitbizaward.SURVEY_SCREEN

POLICY NEWS

President Eliminates Prevention Funding
The FY 2006 proposed federal budget eliminates all funding for the Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHSBG) administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This program supports many public health programs around the country and in California supports California Project LEAN, Center for Physical Activity, California Obesity Prevention Initiative, and 5 A Day.

Improving Pedestrian and Bicycle Access in California
Senate Bill 523 (Torlakson) Bicycle Transportation Account proposes to modestly increase the amount of state highway funds devoted to incentives and facilities for bicycling. Cities and counties have used these funds to promote bicycle commuting, improve the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians, ease traffic congestion, and improve air quality. The investment may reduce Medi-Cal costs—the state currently spends $120 million per year on Medi-Cal reimbursements for pedestrians and bicyclists who are injured by cars—by promoting active transportation. Walkers and bicyclists may also benefit from a proposed policy to require that transportation agencies fully consider the needs of people who walk, bicycle or use wheelchairs in all projects—including planning, design, construction, and reconstruction.

For more information, please visit California Bicycle Coalition at http://www.calbike.org/legislation.htm#BTA

IN THE NEWS

UC Scientists Confirm Healthier Food Costs More
Making healthier choices may cost a family of four almost $1000 more a year to feed their families. This conclusion comes from a study comparing the availability the cost of the standard Thrifty Food Plan market basket and a market basket of healthier substitutes. The analysis was based on price surveys in Los Angeles and Sacramento and also documented that some stories never carried the healthier items. A copy of the results is available at the UC Agricultural Issues Center website.

Ronald McDonald as Health Ambassador
McDonald’s is sending Ronald McDonald into elementary schools as a health ambassador. This is part of their response to the childhood obesity epidemic. This program has been reviewed and approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, however, critics argue that this is another marketing ploy. Washington Post, January 28, 2005

Arizona study on banning soda and junk food in public schools
A five month study of eight public schools in Arizona shows that making healthy changes to school food and vending machines during the school day does not pose negative financial impacts. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne hopes the study will pave the way for the passage of House Bill 2544 (Anderson), which would require schools to ban soft drinks and offer healthier food at snack bars and in vending machines during the school day. To access the study results, visit
http://www.ade.state.az.us/health-safety/cnp/teamnutrition/results2003-2004/

Study Finds Limited Options For Diabetics When Employer Insurance Ends
Falling Through the Cracks: Stories of How Health Insurance Can Fail People with Diabetes, a 14-month study by Georgetown University Health Policy Institute in partnership with the American Diabetics Association, suggests that people with diabetes find it difficult to obtain health insurance after employer coverage ends. Four main barriers to finding new coverage were identified, including (1) medical underwriting in individual insurance, (2) lack of COBRA premium subsidies for people who lose jobs, (3) insurance premium surcharges based on health status, and (4) pre-existing condition exclusion periods in high-risk pools.

Scottish Study to Introduce Healthy Food in Corner Stores Is A Success
A six-month pilot study, from April to October 2004, shows signs of success in introducing healthy food options in convenience stores. The study is a partnership between the Robert Wiseman Dairies, the Scottish Grocers' Federation, major operators in the convenience sector, and the Executive's Health Department. For more information on the results of the study, visit http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2005/02/07095154.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Save the Date! Healthy Schools, Healthy People X, November 18-19, 2005, Sacramento, CA
This is a great opportunity to connect with school health professionals. The conference will cover multiple issues including childhood obesity, physical activity, health and academic success, tobacco use prevention and violence prevention. For registration information please contact (916) 443-0218 or Stephanie@rdlent.com.

RESOURCES

Mapping the Debate on Food
The Berkeley Media Studies Group provides resources for framing the debate on food. They have collected public and industry conversations on nutrition and activity. These resources are available for advocates to reframe the debate on reducing and preventing obesity. For more information, visit http://www.bmsg.org/content/82.php.

WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE?

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity away from a focus on individual choice and lifestyle towards one of environment and corporate and government responsibility. Current Steering Committee members are: California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program (CANFit), California Center for Public Health Advocacy, California Food Policy Advocates, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, California Parks and Recreation Society, California Project LEAN, California WIC Association, Child Care Food Program Roundtable, Latino Health Access, 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, eatbettermovemore.org, or contact Karen Khamou at 510.444.7738 or karen@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 supported by funding from The California Endowment.

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