1. Building Healthy Communities Erin Hagan PolicyLink Center for Health Equity and Place NASCSP 2012 Mid-Winter Training Conference March 2, 2012

2. PolicyLink PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works® PolicyLink Center for Health Equity & Place is informed and driven by the recognition that a neighborhood’s environment – including economic, social, and physical characteristics –all affect our health.

3. Building Healthy Communities 3 Parks Grocery Stores Financial Institutions Employment Opportunities Safe & Affordable Housing Better Performing Schools Good Public Transportation Fast Food Restaurants Liquor Stores Unsafe/Limited Parks Poor Performing Schools High unemployment Increased Pollution and Toxic Waste Sites Limited Public Transportation Inadequate Child Care & After School Programs Communities of Opportunity Disinvested Communities Good Health Status Poor Health Status Contributes to health disparities: Obesity Diabetes Asthma Infant mortality

4. Designed for Disease

5. The Grocery Gap Accessing healthy food is a challenge for many Americans—particularly those living in low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and rural areas. Better access corresponds with healthier eating and lower risk for obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases. New and improved healthy food retail in underserved communities creates jobs and helps to revitalize low- income communities.

6. 6 USDA Food Environment Atlas #Low income & > 1 mi to store, 2006 0 - 5,000 5,001 - 10,000 10,001 - 25,000 25,001 - 257,616

7. 7 Community Strategies to Increase Access to Healthy Food Grocery store development/attraction Farmers’ markets Corner stores Urban agriculture School food reform Regional food systems Mobile markets Food-based business/ microenterprise development Community-supported agriculture

8. 8 A Case in Improving Food Access Source: Baltimore Office of Sustainability

9. Healthy Food Financing Initiative A national campaign initiated by PolicyLink, The Food Trust, and The Reinvestment Fund Goal: To improve access to healthy food in low-income, underserved rural, suburban, & urban communities

10. Healthy Food Financing Pennsylvania’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative – 93 new or renovated stores – 5,023 jobs created or retained – Improved food access for 400,000 residents – Commercial revitalization – $194 Million in total projects leveraged from $30 Million state seed money – 4 - 7% increase in nearby home values National Healthy Food Financing Initiative – USDA – HHS – Treasury 10

11. $77 Million in Allocated Funds 2011, $45 million from Agencies: $35 million Treasury $10 million HHS $10 million USDA 2012, $32 million from the Budget: $22 million Treasury $10 million HHS Other opportunities USDA

12. 12 Resources

13. 13 Thank You Erin Hagan ehagan@policylink.org 510-663-4341