POLICY

The importance of policy as a tool for prevention

A policy defines a public issue, influences how decisions are made, where and how money is spent and supports community actions. Policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity can influence community institutions and the public by providing realistic options for people to access healthy, affordable foods and beverages as well as safe places to be active.

Primary prevention involves taking action to prevent problems from occurring before the onset of symptoms. It focuses on environmental or systemic changes that are aimed at entire populations, such as an entire community, rather than treating one individual at a time. Public policy is a strong tool for primary prevention because policy shapes the environment in which we live, work and play. Policy decisions in diverse sectors including transportation, agriculture, parks and recreation, environment, housing, and education all shape our environments and reinforce behavioral norms. Federal, state and local policies can provide a healthy balance of options in our schools, communities and workplaces.

Local Policy   -   State Policy   -   Federal Policy

Local Policy

In diverse disciplines, from tobacco use prevention to violence prevention, local policy has been a catalyst for policy adoption and implementation in other local jurisdictions, as well as an impetus for state and federal change. 

Tools

• Eleven Reasons for Local Policy Development (PDF)

• Steps for advancing local policy (PDF)

• ENACT Local Policy Database

State Policy 

California has made great strides, enacting state-level policies to improve student nutrition and safe routes to school. Learn more about the bills in the 2009 State Legislative Session that seek to improve the health and nutrition of Californians:

AB 627: Improving Nutrition in Child Care (Brownley)

• Factsheet
• Bill Document and Updates

AB 346: Joint Use for Healthier Children and Families (Torlakson)

• Factsheet
• Bill Document and Updates

AB 513: Health Care Coverage: Breastfeeding (de Leon)

• Factsheet
• Bill Document and Updates

AB 537: EBT Access at Farmer’s Markets (Arambula)

• Factsheet
• Bill Document and Updates

Tools

• California Legislative Policy Database

          (CA Legislation)

• National Conference of State Legislature

  (Other States)

Federal Policy

• Senate
• Congress

2009 Federal Legislation

• 2009 MEAL Act
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

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