Obesity rates have more than doubled in the United States since 1999.  Rates are highest and have risen faster among people of color, who also face the highest rates of obesity-related health problems like diabetes and heart disease. A 2005 study found that because of the rapid rise in obesity rates, today’s youth may live shorter lives than their parents.  Action is needed to reverse these disturbing trends.

People make choices about their diet, but their decisions are affected by the food that is available to them.  Low-income communities and communities of color often don’t have full-service grocery stores that sell fresh meats and produce, or effective transportation to stores that do stock healthy food. Studies have shown that improved access to healthy food can lead to healthier food choices.

Working with partners across the country, the PolicyLink Center for Health and Place promotes local, state, and federal policies to improve access to high quality, affordable, nutritious foods.  The Center researches the relationships between food, health, and economic development; educates policymakers, practitioners, and the public about barriers to access, its impact on health, and needed policies; trains advocates on advocacy strategies; and organizes policy advocacy campaigns.


JUST IN! Congress Steps Up for Healthy Food for All

We have some exciting news to share! A bi-partisan group in the US House of Representatives took an important step to improve access to healthy foods and create jobs in low-income communities across America.

Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and 20 co-sponsors just introduced a resolution in support of A National Fresh Food Financing Initiative, based on a highly successful program in Pennsylvania. Read the full resolution here.  This Congressional resolution is just the first step, though. We anticipate a bill creating a Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) will be introduced in the Senate in early 2010. We need your help to make that happen.

Read the Resolution and Sign on to have your voice heard. Tell Congress all communities deserve good jobs, fresh food, and smart, long-term investment.


Read about our Federal work on Healthy Food Retailing.

Select Tools and Resources

A Healthy Food Financing Initiative: An Innovative Approach to Improve Health and Spark Economic Development  (pdf)

Recommendations for the Prevention and Wellness Funds: A Memo Prepared by PolicyLink and Prevention Institute for President Obama's Administration (pdf)

Healthy Food, Healthy Communities: Improving Access and Opportunities through Food Retailing (pdf)

Grocery Store Attraction Strategies:  A Resource Guide for Community Activists and Local Governments (pdf)

Designed for Disease: The Link Between Local Food Environments and Obesity and Diabetes (pdf)

Why Place Matters: Building the Movement for Healthy Communities (pdf)

Healthy Food Retailing tool (EDTK)