Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115322

Rebecca Flournoy, MPH, Sarah Treuhaft, MCP, and Mildred Thompson, MSW. PolicyLink, 101 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607, 510-663-2333, rebeccaf@policylink.org

Across the country, obesity rates are rising at an alarming rate. Rates are highest and have risen the most among people of color, who also face the highest rates of obesity-related health problems. Overeating and lack of exercise – primary factors in the development of obesity – result from choices that are strongly affected by the environments in which people live. Researchers have documented that low-income communities of color are less likely than other communities to have access to supermarkets, and that this affects eating behaviors. Residents without access to retailers selling healthy food often resort to purchasing unhealthy foods that are available at local corner stores or fast food restaurants.

PolicyLink, a national nonprofit research, communications, capacity-building, and advocacy organization that advances policies to achieve economic and social equity, will discuss effective community-based efforts to increase access to healthy food. Interweaving case studies from around the country, we will discuss the benefits and challenges of building new grocery stores, improving existing corner stores, and starting and sustaining farmers' markets. These efforts can improve individual dietary behaviors while also bringing broad community health benefits related to increased local economic development. Innovative policies and strategies to improve food environments in underserved communities will be highlighted. Findings are based on a review of relevant literature and interviews with community leaders, policymakers, and business leaders. This paper builds off a framework on the effects of community factors on health that was developed by PolicyLink in the report, "Reducing Health Disparities Through a Focus on Communities."

Learning Objectives:

• • Describe an innovative state-level policy passed in Pennsylvania to fund the development of new grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
• • List three obstacles that business executives cite as barriers to grocery store development in low-income communities, and examples of ways that each obstacle has been overcome.
• • List two barriers to improving existing corner stores and examples of how each barrier has been overcome.
• • Describe two strategies that could help develop or sustain farmers’ markets in low-income communities.

Related Web page: www.policylink.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation