Addressing the intersection: How preventing violence can prevent chronic disease

Place and community conditions significantly affect health. People lead healthier lives in communities with walkable and bikeable streets, safe parks and playgrounds, grocery stores selling healthy foods and beverages, and neighbors who know one another. Healthy food and physical activity practitioners and advocates increasingly note that violence undermines the effectiveness of their efforts to prevent chronic disease. Further, high rates of community violence disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, contributing heavily to inequities in health. To understand the relationship between violence and healthy eating and activity, as well as community-based solutions to address these complex issues, Prevention Institute conducted qualitative research consisting of interviews and strategic sessions with community leaders and prevention experts. Additionally, the Institute coordinates six pilot projects, supported by the Convergence Partnership, to reduce violence and promote healthy eating and activity at the neighborhood level through innovative policy and environmental change strategies. Launched in January 2010, the project brings together non-traditional partners, including youth, community and grassroots organizations representing the fields of violence prevention, healthy eating, and/or physical activity, and local public health departments. Participants who attend this session will gain a better understanding about the links between violence and healthy eating and active living. Additionally, they will learn about the community pilot initiative, including successes and lessons learned from multi-field collaboration and environmental changes undertaken to address violence and chronic disease.