Federal

State and Local

Virginia Community Eligibility Participation Up 139 Percent

The number of Virginia schools in high-poverty areas participating in the Community Eligibility Provision—under which eligible schools may offer meals free of charge to all students, regardless of family income—has increased by 139 percent since last year , according to an announcement from Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. More than 200 schools now participate, up from 86 during the prior school year, covering approximately 56,000 children. The release also noted that, among Virginia schools enrolling in Community Eligibility, school breakfast and lunch participation rates have increased by 11.9 percent since last year. 

RWJF, UWPHI Release Health Gaps Reports

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute released the 2015 County Health Rankings Health Gaps Reports. The reports identify the significant gaps in opportunities for good health among counties within each state. The 50 state overviews examine the factors that are driving the health of residents—including issues such as obesity and poverty—and the number of premature deaths that could be prevented in each state if residents of all counties had the same opportunities for health.

Study: Child-Directed Fast Food Advertising Linked with Fast Food Consumption

The frequency with which a child sees fast food advertising on TV increases the likelihood that a child’s family will visit those restaurants, according to a study published in Pediatrics. Researchers found that such visits were also linked to toy giveaways that children could receive at such restaurants. 

Citing Cost to Taxpayers, Cities and States Tackle Obesity

Pew Charitable Trusts “Stateline”, Teresa Wiltz, 11/2/2015

More than 35 percent of Arkansas adults are obese, making it the heaviest state in the nation. Gov. Asa Hutchinson looked at those numbers and saw two problems: an increased risk of all sorts of health challenges, and an increased burden on taxpayers

Upcoming Events

2016 RWJF Culture of Health Prize: Phase I Applications 
November 12, 2015 (deadline for Phase I applications)

Sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the RWJF Culture of Health Prize recognizes and celebrates communities that have placed a priority on health and are creating powerful partnerships and deep commitments to make change. Up to 10 winning communities will each receive a $25,000 cash prize and have their success stories celebrated and shared broadly to inspire locally-driven change across the nation. Phase I applications for all applicant communities are due on November 12, 2015; winners will be announced in the fall of 2016. Learn more and apply online.

Who’s Leading the Leading Health Indicators?
Nov. 19, 2015
12:00-1:00pm ET

Hosted by Healthy People 2020, this webinar will examine a Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative in King County, Wash., that aims to prevent obesity by promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Register for the webinar.