The obesity epidemic continues to threaten the health of Californians, increasing the risk for more than half of the state’s citizens of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis-related disabilities, depression, sleep disorders, and some cancers. The problem is so serious that according to one report, today’s generation of children could become the first in modern history whose lifespan is less than that of their parents.

In the face of the state’s current budget crisis, creating synergy across silos and leveraging investments in health has never been more important. The economic cost of obesity is staggering: Obesity-related health expenditures are estimated to have accounted for more than 25% of the growth in national health care spending between 1987 and 2001. Many previous attempts to tackle obesity have focused on changing personal behavior; however, it is now acknowledged that there is no single cause or cure to the complex problem of obesity.

There has been a growing recognition of the need to include health as part of the discussion across a range of policy decisions. This forum brings together experts who are tackling the multifaceted obesity problem by crossing traditional governmental silos to find solutions. Their approach demands that health be considered in a wide variety of policy decisions, ranging from urban planning, land use, and agriculture to recreation, transportation, and climate change.

We’ll explore the issues from various perspectives:

An overview of the problem in California and successful efforts to combat it from the director of the state’s office for obesity prevention.
An examination of California Convergence, which brings together dozens of community efforts to attack obesity at its roots through access to healthy food and physical activity.
A look at the Davis Farm to Schools program that aims to achieve healthy individuals and healthy communities.
An analysis of how community design, schools, transportation, and parks and recreation can work together to improve the health of children and adults.

Panelists

Lisa Cirill, MS, PAPHS, Acting Chief, California Center for Physical Activity, California Department Public Health
Gail Feenstra, EdD, Food Systems Analyst, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
Lisa Hershey, MPH, Chief, Coordinating Office for Obesity Prevention, California Department of Public Health (facilitator)
Julie Williamson, MPH, Director, California Convergence