Roni Neff, PhD, MS

Research Director

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Center for a Livable Future: www.jhsph.edu/clf

For four years, the APHA Environment and Food and Nutrition Sections have collaborated around public health issues at the intersection of food, agriculture and environment.  Relevant public health issues, as described in the Association's new (2007) position paper "Towards a Healthy, Sustainable Food System," http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=1361

arise from many intertwined factors including the industrialization of agriculture, its intensive use of water, antibiotics, chemical inputs, fossil fuels and other resources, and the power of agribusiness firms.  The results include significant contributions to climate change, environmental pollution, water and soil depletion, low regulation of worker safety and health, and the rise in antibiotic-resistant infections.  This industrialized food system also has nutritional implications, such as its contribution to obesity and to the lack of access to healthy foods. Public health professionals are increasingly at the forefront of challenging these threats, and also of promoting healthier, more just and more sustainable alternatives. Food and environment issues continue to gain visibility and traction with increased public interest in local and sustainably produced foods, the obesity epidemic, the recent passage of the Farm Bill, and the international crisis of rising food prices.

Bridging sections, the Food and Environment Working Group has sought to encourage interdisciplinary scientific and social interchange, to help expand perspectives and ultimately work towards broader public health community engagement in food/environment issues.  Four years ago, the group began trying to bring people together through the APHA scientific program; we have continued to highlight sessions of joint interest.  Two years ago at APHA in Boston, at least 70 people attended a social event featuring locally sourced food and wines.  At last year's conference in D.C., more than 100 came out to Clyde's of Gallery Place to mix, mingle, eat, drink and share ideas.  The event coincided with APHA's August 2007 W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant to support organizing in selected communities around public health and agricultural policy issues.

Planning is well under way for the 2008 social event, to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6:30.  We hope you will be sure to include Tuesday in your San Diego itinerary, and join us to sample the area’s freshest and local-est.  Beyond that, look out for information about our track of scientific sessions addressing food and environment themes, and for information about a 'meetup' for visiting the nearby farmer's market.  Our group is also seeking to raise money to bring individuals engaged in the San Diego food system to the conference, and to support other activities to build the profile of food and environment. Long term, many of us are already looking to "Farm Bill 2013" and to developing activities aimed at building a stronger and more influential public health voice in debates about food and farm policy.

Stay tuned for information about participating in San Diego activities. If you may be interested in joining our active working group, please e-mail Roni Neff rneff@jhsph.edu