Did you know that LA County is considering merging three health departments (the Departments of Health Services, Public Health and Mental Health) into a single integrated agency? The Department of Public Health is responsible for the health of 10 million Angelenos....
This week, San Francisco City Supervisor Scott Wiener announced plans to introduce a ballot measure that would place a two-pennies-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks to fund health, nutrition and activity programs for San Francisco youth. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the measure will go on the ballot in November 2014. This tax would raise an estimated $31 million to fund health programs in its first year alone.
Last month, the American Medical Association officially labeled obesity a disease. The AMA’s decision has unleashed a flood of news reports and Op-eds, and the coverage largely emphasizes solutions focused on the individual, without discussing the critical need for a population approach.
California's Cap and Trade program presents advocates with an opportunity to fund community health improvements, such as reliable public transit, safe places to walk and bike, and dedicated open spaces.
Juliet Sims speaks up in support of SB 402, Baby Friendly Hospitals in California.
This week saw major developments in the food, beverage, and chain restaurant industry's efforts to drown progressive local policies in legal challenges and lobbying dollars. On Monday, March 11, New York State Supreme Court justice Milton Tingling struck down New York City's cap on sugar-sweetened beverage containers, which was set to go into effect the following day. This ruling puts the brakes on an innovative effort that advocates have been eyeing closely. Halfway across the country in Mississippi, state lawmakers passed an industry-supported "anti-Bloomberg bill" designed to "bar counties and towns from enacting rules that require calorie counts to be posted, that cap portion sizes, or that keep toys out of kids' meals." Hernando, Mississippi, mayor Chip Johnson decried the bill for "taking away home rule" and "tell[ing] people at the local level what to do."
Last week, Coca-Cola launched a new campaign with the release of a two-minute television ad that addresses the link between their products and the health of their customers. Airing during prime-time news shows, the ad targets policymakers and emphasizes Coca-Cola’s role as a responsible corporate citizen genuinely concerned about the nation’s health.
In a blog post for MomsRising, Strategic Alliance's Juliet Sims talks food environments, kids' health, Big Food marketing and 2013 food policy advocacy opportunities.
Last week, the New York City Board of Health unanimously passed a measure that would cap the size of soda and other sugary drinks sold for individual consumption in food service establishments at 16 ounces. Read our latest Rapid Response for a media round-up of this issue, along with talking points to respond to coverage.
From establishing healthy vending policies to promoting safe places to play, we've rounded-up the latest collection of food and activity resources to keep advocates informed.
