All communities need access to healthy foods and safe places to play and be active—but not all communities enjoy equal access to these vital means of health. We take a systems approach to improving access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity—working across a spectrum of issues, from agriculture, education, land use and transportation, to economic development, industry regulation, and safety. We believe health equity should be the core goal in our national efforts to reduce diet- and activity-related chronic disease, and our work strives to understand how communities experiencing inequities can be best supported in the creation of neighborhoods, cities, and regions that foster health. Through a focus on federal policy, along with state and local research, consultation, and capacity building, we promote cross-sector, equity-focused solutions to promote healthy food and activity environments.
This workbook draws on the experiences and lessons of numerous communities working to advance place-based prevention efforts. It is designed to guide community health practitioners who want to learn more about the role of community culture in environmental change efforts.
A Decade of Advocacy is a case study of the Strategic Alliance, a network of 15 California-based organizations that came together to promote healthy food and activity environments. This document provides a roadmap for effective collaboration, and highlights the impact a group of organizations can have when working together to effect change.
Listen to Prevention Institute's Linda Shak, Program Manager, as she discusses prevention models currently working in the state of California on a Government Action Communications Institute podcast. A growing number of California communities are already focused on community prevention - directing their efforts to keep people healthy in the first place. Research increasingly shows that the places where people live, work, learn, and play, influence and shape the health and safety of residents. Listen to more related podcasts here.
Listen to Prevention Institute's Juliet Sims on Childhood Matters as she covers how policies and environments can support healthy eating and physical activity for kids, families and communities. To learn more about our work on these issues, browse the following resources: Supporting Healthy Food and Activity Environments focus area We're Not Buying It: Stop Junk Food Marketing to Kids (video and petition) Claiming Health: Front-of-Package Labeling of Children's Food Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments webpages
The places where we live, work, learn and play affect our health, but not all communities support healthy outcomes, equally. Decisions about the built environment - such as land use, zoning, and community design - have implications for neighborhood access to healthy food, safe places for physical activity and resident experiences of real and perceived violence. In the book Making Healthy Places: Designing and Building for Health, Well-Being, and Sustainability (edited by Andrew L. Dannenberg, Howard Frumkin, and Richard J. Jackson), chapter contributors Manal J. Aboelata, Leah Ersoylu, Larry
Watch the video and share! "We're Not Buying It" exposes deceptive marketing to children, debunks industry claims, and highlights the latest research. When we put children first, the plan of action is clear: companies should market the foods that keep kids healthy, not sugary cereals and other junk food. The IWG guidelines will help to do just that.
This document details priority areas for action in the following categories: I. Administrative Actions. The Brown Administration can take the following steps to position community prevention as central to the economy, sustainability and equity: a. Defend the Prevention and Public Health Fund. b. Coordinate the State's response to Community Transformation Grants. c. Continue to position health and equity centrally within the Strategic Growth Council. d. Elevate recommendations of the Health in All Policies Taskforce and support implementation. e. Emphasize community-based prevention in
This Strategic Alliance report is based on the premise that everyone should have access to safe places to play and be physically active. The evidence is clear: regular physical activity is critical for healthy mental and physical development, chronic disease prevention, and reducing healthcare costs.
NPT Reports: Children's Health Crisis - Prevention explores what will it take to improve the health of all children in Tennessee. Through conversations with health care professionals, parents and policy makers, the documentary explores a view of health that extends beyond medical care; where healthy lifestyle choices are accessible, affordable and a part of every day life. Prevention Institute's Executive Director Larry Cohen is featured.
Parents shouldn’t look to the labels on the front of food package for guidance on picking the healthiest products for their kids.
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