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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jennifer Robertson, MS, RD, California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition), California Department of Health Services, 601 N. 7th Street, P.O. Box 942732, MS-675, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, 916-327-3055, jrobert1@dhs.ca.gov
Recent studies have noted skyrocketing soft drink consumption by children, decreasing milk consumption, and a link between sugared-beverage consumption and obesity. Public health advocates in California have become increasingly concerned that the proliferation of soft drinks and soft drink advertising at school is contributing to poor health outcomes. Exclusive beverage contracts require soft drink advertising, dictate the types of beverages sold on campus, and in some cases, limit public discourse on contract components. Local public health experts have joined parents and students in protesting the initiation of exclusive beverage contracts within four California school districts. Exclusive contracts were established in two of the districts while contracts were defeated in the other two. Each community process provides useful information in understanding exclusive soda contracts, in understanding how and why school district policy is made, and in understanding the role public health experts have in this debate. This presentation will describe each community process with an emphasis on detailing the role of public health advocacy. An overview of contract components and media coverage will be shared.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Advocacy, Community Response
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.