Environmental Change is Critical to Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living

HEALTH ENVIRONMENT Toxins in the Environment Affect Health

HEALTH BEHAVIOR ENVIRONMENT Environments Shape Behavior by Shaping Norms that Impact Health

The prevalence of fast food in this urban environment reinforces unhealthy eating norms.

The media environment is an often missed but powerful determinant of norms and behavior. Roads that are only built for cars do not support active behaviors and may lead to unintentional injuries.

Low-income communities and communities of color are not afflicted with different medical conditions but rather, experience the same injuries and illnesses, only more so. Importance of Health Equity

ENVIRONMENT A Key Opportunity for Prevention Changing Environments to Encourage Health-Promoting Behaviors is a Key Opportunity for Prevention

 Access to fresh fruits and vegetables  Safe and accessible open spaces  Smoking prevention  Child restraint and safety belt use  Motorcycle and bicycle helmet laws  Lead poisoning prevention

 The California state tobacco prevention program saved $3.62 in direct medical costs for every $1 invested over 8 years.  An analysis of employer supported breastfeeding programs in the US has shown a savings of $3 for every $1 invested in reduced absenteeism and health care costs for mothers and babies.  A cost benefit analysis of bike/pedestrian trails in Nebraska concluded that for every $1 investment in trails there was a $2.94 savings in medical costs due to increased physical activity levels of trail users. Quality Prevention Makes Economic Sense

Communities around the country have engaged in policy and organizational practice change to reduce health disparities and promote healthy eating and active living Increasing Access to Healthy Food Upper Falls Community: Rochester, New York

Reducing Violence and Crime through Liquor Store Closures South Los Angeles, California

Importance of Multi-Sectoral Partnerships Pedestrian/BikeOrganizations ElectedOfficials PublicHealth Planners Sustainable Food Systems Health Care Providers Businesses Youth YouthDevelopment EnvironmentalGroups Building a movement around healthy eating and active living requires engaging in multidisciplinary collaborations to change environments and norms.

Keys to Success  Implement environmental change approaches to improve health  Focus on health equity  Engage in cross-sectoral collaboration  Have a comprehensive and strategic agenda

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