PHA Releases Policy Snapshot
07/11/2011
For Immediate Release
July 11, 2011
Contact: Sarah Coppersmith
news@ahealthieramerica.org
(202) 842-9001
PHA Releases Policy Snapshot on the Link Between Access to Healthy, Affordable Food and Childhood Obesity
WASHINGTON – The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) – an organization working
with the private sector to solve the nation’s childhood obesity crisis – released today a policy
snapshot, titled “Food Access: The Link Between Access to Healthy, Affordable Food and
Childhood Obesity.”
“Approximately 23.5 million Americans don’t have access to affordable, healthy foods,” said
Lawrence A. Soler, CEO of PHA. “If we want to solve the childhood obesity crisis, we need to
make healthy eating the easy and affordable choice. I hope this policy snapshot arms the private
sector, the public and the press with a critical look at food access issues. With over 12.5 million
American children and adolescents obese, we need swift and targeted action to help end the
obesity epidemic.”
According to the USDA, 23.5 million Americans live in low-income areas that lack stores likely
to sell affordable and nutritious foods. Of these 23.5 million, approximately 11.5 million are
individuals living in households with incomes at or below the 200% poverty line, and 6.5 million
are children.