Building healthy communities: Health–supportive environments to prevent Latino childhood obesity

Lessons from The California Endowment's deep experience with community-based efforts to improve health affirm that social and physical environments shape health risks, behaviors and outcomes. Confronted by economic blight, remoteness, unsafe neighborhoods, targeted marketing for unhealthy eating, erosion of healthier traditions and more, Latino experience with childhood obesity signals an emerging opportunity to address one of the nation's greatest threats to health. Community organizations, public health departments, and schools partnering in urban and rural largely Latino communities across California are engaged in highly-productive efforts to improve opportunities for healthy nutrition and physical activity by changing environments and policies. Bolstered by expert technical support and participatory evaluation, local youth, parents, government, business, and other stakeholders work collaboratively to assess conditions, plan, advocate, and implement changes that make for healthier places to live, work, play, and go to school. Lessons from environmental and policy change to prevent Latino childhood obesity point to solutions that will also lead to healthier communities and a healthier America.