Statewide Soda Tax Aims to Fund Prevention for California’s Kids

California’s protracted budget crisis threatens many public health initiatives – healthy eating and active living programs among them. But a bill proposed this month in Sacramento could add $1.7 billion a year to fund much-needed healthy eating and active living programs. By levying a penny-per-ounce on every soda and sugar-sweetened beverage sold in California, AB 669 could safeguard investments in safe places for children to play and be active, healthy school meals, community access to healthy food, and physical education.

“With California facing both massive budget cuts and an unprecedented childhood obesity epidemic, it is critically important to identify funding for obesity prevention efforts outside of current state revenue streams,” said Jennifer Richard of California Center for Public Health Advocacy, the bill’s sponsor. Read more...

Healthy Parks, Schools, and Communities: Green Access and Equity for Orange County

People are 38% more likely to exercise when they live within one mile of a park. In Orange County, where low income communities and communities of color have disproportionately low access to green space and 67% of fifth grade students failed to meet California Department of Education physical fitness standards in 2008, increasing access to parks and other green space can be an effective solution to improving public health and reducing healthcare costs.

The City Project’s recently released policy report, Healthy Parks, Schools, and Communities: Green Access and Equity for Orange County, maps and analyzes access to Orange County’s green space, and makes recommendations for equitable investments in green space in both Orange County and throughout the nation. Read the full report here.

Food Matters: A Clinical Education and Advocacy Program
What Clinicians Need to Know About Our Food System to Help Ensure Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Families and a Healthy Planet

Saturday, March 5, 2011
8:15 am – 1:15 pm
Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute

For more information or to register, click here.

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California Healthy Cities and Communities Annual Conference
Taking Action - Communities Moving Forward, Engaging Residents, and Building a Healthy Future

Thursday, April 21, 2011
The California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities, Los Angeles, CA
Organized By: Center for Civic Partnerships, Public Health Institute
Register here.

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American Public Health Association Midyear Meeting

Implementing Health Reform - A Public Health Approach

June 23-25, 2011

Chicago, IL

Registration is now open.