A Local Policy Process for Promoting Healthy Food Access with the King County Board of Health

Local governments can play a vital role in reducing health disparities through the implementation of policies that improve equitable healthy fool and beverage access. The King County Board of Health is comprised of county elected officials and health professionals that set county-wide health policy and regulations. On June 20th, the Healthy Eating, Active Living Unit at Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) briefed the board on the state of food access in King County. At that meeting the Board voted to form a healthy eating committee comprised of both Board and community members to develop recommendations of policy options for the Board to adopt in order to address diet-related health disparities across the county.

This project with the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) unit at Public Health – Seattle & King County was to support their eminent collaboration with the King County Board of Health in the formation of a Healthy Eating Committee. Project goals were to:

• Research the background and interests of the current Board of Health members.
• Develop understanding of the Board of Health’s functions & background for HEAL and the committee.
• Assist in developing a process for selecting committee members from the community.
• Explore the feasibility of policy options for the committee to recommend to the Board.

Materials Available

• Poster

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Project Type(s): MPH Practicum

Author(s): Sara Woolcock

Program(s): Master of Public Health

Year: 2020

Adviser(s):

• Anne Lund