Ending Hunger in Oregon: 2012 Food Security Summit

Public Health Strategies for Increasing Access to Healthy Food

Sonia ManhasCommunity Wellness & Prevention

Multnomah County Health DepartmentJanuary 19, 2012

Role of Local Health Departments

Maintain working relationships with State Public Health partners, as well as multiple public, non-profit, and private sector organizations

Focus specifically on preventing disease, promoting health and protecting all people

Carry out statutory authority within their jurisdiction

Develop deep knowledge about the communities and people they serve

1999

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2008

(*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)

2008

1990

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Disproportionate burden

Native Americans/Alaska Natives and Hispanics had the highest proportions of overweight and obesity.

African Americans have a higher stroke mortality rate than their white, Non-Hispanic counterparts.

African Americans had a diabetes mortality rate more than twice as great as their white, non-Hispanic counterparts

Public health prevention: Increase access to healthy food

Access Physical availability Product quality Nutritional value Affordability Cultural relevance

Maximizing population-wide impact & increasing health equity

Multiple strategies

Farm to institution partnerships

Urban agriculture Increasing electronic

benefit transfer access Nutrition standards Nutritional labeling Product placement &

marketing Facility improvements City planning

Multiple settings

Schools Retail stores Faith-based centers Parks & recreation

centers Health care & hospitals Senior centers Neighborhoods Worksites

Through extensive partnerships

Upstream Public Health Oregon Public Health Institute Oregon Physicians for Social

Responsibility / Healthcare Without Harm

Highland Haven Church Immigrant Refugee Community

Organization (IRCO) African American Health Coalition El Programa Hispano Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

(EMO) Janus Youth – Village Market Cascadia Behavioral Health Ecotrust Urban League of Portland Portland Multnomah Food Policy

Council

Multnomah County SUN Program

Multnomah County Aging & Disability Services

Portland Public School District David Douglas School District Parkrose School District Centennial School District Gresham-Barlow School District Reynolds School District Riverdale School District Oregon & Multnomah County

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

Food Retailers

Multnomah County Healthy Retail Initiative

Working in partnership with corner store owners and operators to increase the availability, promotion, and marketing of healthy food and beverages

Healthy Active Schools Program

Working with school districts to implement wellness policies and changes to the school environment that increase availability of healthy food and encourage healthy eating

Nutrition Guidelines & Food Procurement Policy

Working with cross-sector partners, including non-profit organizations, governmental entities, and private employers, to adopt nutrition policies that improve the food environment and increase food choices.

Opportunities for Partnerships

Community Assessments

Community Planning

Food Policy Councils

Community Coalitions

Food Donations

Community Health Improvement Plans

Built Environment Atlas web.multco.us/news/how-healthy-your-neighborhood

It Starts Here: Campaign for a Healthy Active Multnomah Countymultco-itstartshere.org

Portland Multnomah Food Policy Councilportlandonline.com

Multnomah Food Initiativemultnomahfood.org

Resources