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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Heather Schoonover, MS, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, 2105 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404, (612) 870-3450, hschoonover@iatp.org

Foods high in added sugars and fats are often more affordable than fresher, healthier choices. Not coincidentally, U.S. consumers are now eating many more added sugars and fats than is healthy. The reason these unhealthy foods tend to be less expensive than foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables has much to do with U.S. agricultural policy. Policies aimed at driving down the price of commodities like corn and soybeans make added sugars and fats some of the cheapest food substances to produce. Support for fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, has been lacking. In the past, the Farm Bill has addressed health and nutrition issues in the nutrition title. While the programs in the nutrition title are crucial, they do not address the inherent flaws in much of our food and farm policy. Real change will only come with changes in the largest component of the Farm Bill – the commodity title. The crafting of the 2007 Farm Bill could be the first time that the public health community provides a strong voice in this aspect farm policy. The potential strength of this new constituency – coupled with public concern about the obesity epidemic – provides an incredible opportunity to drive farm policy in a direction that promotes healthy diets. This presentation will explore the links between U.S. agricultural policy and public heath and will provide recommendations for how the public health community can influence agricultural policy to foster systemic change in our food system.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants in the session will be able to

• Articulate connections between U.S. agricultural policy and public health
• Discuss how U.S. agricultural policy influences the affordability and availability of different types of food
• List two ways the public health community can influence the direction of agricultural policy to foster healthy diets

Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation