Open AccessPartners for a Healthy City: Implementing Policies and Environmental Changes Within Organizations to Promote Health
Author(s) -
Laura Feyerherm,
Melissa Tibbits,
Hongmei Wang,
Sarah E. Schram,
Mary Balluff
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2014.301875
Subject(s) - work (physics) , business , physical activity , environmental health , healthy food , public health , public policy , health policy , active living , public health policy , healthy eating , environmental policy , public relations , political science , medicine , environmental planning , engineering , nursing , geography , mechanical engineering , chemistry , food science , law , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Current research has suggested that obesity prevention efforts should promote policy and environmental changes. The Partners for a Healthy City project, implemented in Douglas County, Nebraska, focused on collaborating with local organizations to help them select and implement 1 or more policies that promoted healthy eating and physical activity. Of the 346 organizations participating in the project and completing the follow-up assessment, 92% implemented at least 1 new policy or expanded an existing policy related to healthy food and drink options and physical activity, totaling 952 individual policy changes. Common policies included providing water as the primary beverage and installing bike racks to support active commuting to and from work. These findings suggest widespread support for policy changes that promote community health.