Perspectives from United Kingdom and United States Policy Makers on Obesity Prevention Workshop Summary (2010) / Chapter Skim
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7 Local Policies and Programs
7 Local Policies and Programs
Pages 51-60
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From page 51... ...
. Jonathan Fielding (Director of Public Health and Health Officer, Los Angeles County Department of Health)
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From page 52... ...
Sixteen percent live in poverty, including about one in four children. Five Roles for the Health Department Fielding described the health department's five roles related to preventing childhood obesity: • surveillance, monitoring, and data collection; • coordination and collaboration with a wide range of public and private partners; • modeling of a healthy workplace; • funding for pilot projects; and • use of health impact assessments.
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From page 53... ...
Modeling of a Healthy Workplace The health department can set an example for other agencies in the public sector, as well as private employers. Recent efforts have included a countywide worksite wellness program encompassing key physical activity and nutrition components; organized workplace-related physical activity, such as lunchtime walking groups and activity breaks during meetings; and a 100 percent healthy foods policy in county vending machines.
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From page 54... ...
Again, Fielding identified necessary environmental changes, such as increasing parks and greenspaces and making them safe and people-friendly, to make physical activity the easy choice. Finally, Fielding commented on some additional challenges for his department and other local agencies seeking to address obesity: • the need to influence non-health sector decisions so people will understand and take into account the health consequences of deci sions made on transportation, taxation, and other issues; • the need for changes in the organizational culture to address poli cies and systems, not just more services and programs; • diminishing public health resources that require leveraging exist ing and seeking new funding, especially for prevention of chronic conditions such as obesity; • competing demands, such as for emergency preparedness; and • the need for a broader range of partnerships to develop a shared vision of the effects of health on all aspects of society.
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From page 55... ...
would bring together the many policies and agencies with a role in addressing obesity and improving health. NEW YORK CITY: MENU LABELINg TO PROMOTE HEALTH As mentioned earlier, New York City now has a menu labeling law mandating that the caloric content of foods in chain restaurants and carryout establishments be prominently displayed.
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From page 56... ...
. Other interventions include Healthy Bucks, $2 vouchers that SNAP recipients can use to purchase produce more affordably at participating farmers' markets, and Green Carts, which license sidewalk vendors exclusively to sell produce in underserved neighborhoods with micro-loans and technical assistance for Green Cart operators, as well as branding, marketing, and outreach to encourage residents of the Green Cart areas to purchase fresh produce from the carts.
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From page 57... ...
Expenditures nationwide on food eaten away from home, especially at fast food restaurants, had steadily increased, from less than 30 percent of the food dollar in 1962 to about 45 percent in 2002. Menu labeling was proposed in the legislatures of Maine and New York State in 2002, but without success.
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From page 58... ...
In Hernando, Mississippi, a city of about 15,000, Mayor Johnson and the Board of Aldermen oversee everything from garbage pickup to police and fire services, with a total city budget of $17 million. The high obesity rate in his state led Johnson to take an active role in seeking partnerships and new ideas for promoting health.
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From page 59... ...
Hernando's achievements include partnerships that leverage dollars and human capital, state and national recognition that heightens local awareness, improvements in infrastructure without tax increases, and efforts in the local school district. At the same time, Johnson acknowledged many challenges.
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From page 60... ...
New York City, said Silver, has seen a decrease in urban violence and homicide, but public perception is that the level of danger is great. The health department is looking at street designs that will encourage more walking and cycling, which will also make the streets safer as they will be better populated.
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