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On April 17, PHA Honorary Vice Chair and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist sent this letter to the New York Times, in response to an article questioning the connection between food access and obesity

Dear Editor:

Gina Kolata’s April 17 piece, “Studies question the pairing of food deserts and obesity,” ignores the simple truth behind any effort set on changing behaviors: there is no silver bullet. The obesity crisis in this country is no different.

With one in three U.S. children overweight or obese, action is needed now, on multiple fronts.

Certainly, we know that building a supermarket in a food desert isn’t the only answer. But we also know that if we’re going to change behaviors, we need to look at the entire food environment – not just one aspect of it. Access must be paired with education, affordability, and myriad other factors that lower the barriers to healthy food choices.

Making fresh, affordable food available where people live is one part of a broad solution that will help ensure our kids avoid being the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents.

The Honorable William H. Frist

Honorary Vice Chair, Partnership for a Healthier America

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader