Leading Policy, System and Environmental Change Through the Power of Coalition

Student Member Price: $10.00

COVID-19 and the health inequity it exposes are dual public health crises that present unprecedented opportunity for public health nutrition to lead policy, system, and environment-wide changes. As the pandemic deepens the hunger crisis across the country, public health dietitians can lead the charge to turn the table on hunger and drive solutions that last beyond the pandemic. This session will demonstrate how dietitians can be more than an educator. By partnering with community champions, local influencers, and decision makers at all levels, we can be change agents who address social determinants of health—upstream factors that disadvantage our already vulnerable population even more in crisis. The partnership between health care and public health nutrition creates a food-medicine combo in standard patient care, mitigates hunger and reduces health inequities. The session will also showcase two promising practices resulting from cutting-edge cross-sector collaborations, including the Food Rescue Anti-Hunger Coalition. The Coalition, which won a National Association of Counties award for public health innovation, facilitates food access for thousands of at-risk families during the pandemic.

Planned with the Public Health/Community Nutrition DPG

CPE Level: Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 12.1.3 Collaborates with community partners and stakeholders in promoting nutritional health and disease prevention.
• 12.2.6 Determines resource needs to develop, implement and maintain programs, initiatives and interventions
• 3.2.1 Advocates for and influences local, federal and global nutrition and health policy to promote health and well-being of individuals, communities and populations.

Learning Objectives

• Implement useful tips about policy, system and environmental change through example practices.
• Describe different levels of community engagement and collaboration and how to drive change that impacts the nutrition of communities.
• Identify specific leadership roles public health nutrition leaders play in partnering with healthcare providers to address food insecurity and incorporate food-is-medicine model into patient care.

Speakers

• Yen Ang
• Jackie Combs