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Healthy America—The Opportunity to Meet the

Challenge in Our States

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ietetics professionals yearningfor greater recognition andgrowing professional opportuni-

ies can be successful by becomingore involved in the larger public pol-

cy arena where decisions are made.y taking a personal, proactive ap-roach to self representation and ad-ocacy, dietetics professionals arending ways to enhance the profes-ion and their careers. The membersf the American Dietetic AssociationADA) can influence the direction ofolitics to reshape public health pol-cy and to advance dietetics withinhe nation’s food, nutrition, andealth systems.ADA members can lead this advo-

acy challenge by being proactive inheir communities to influence publicolicy. “Advocacy skills are essentialor the public health practitioner.ublic health advocacy is increas-

ngly identified as a way to systemat-cally alter public health policy andnfrastructure. By providing skillsraining and calling the public healthommunity to action, professionalsan mobilize to take a proactive rolen developing public health policy”1). Health professionals who respondo opportunities for advocacy trainingn community organizations can be-ome effective leaders in state initia-ives and in advocating for the profes-ion.

ECOGNIZING AN OPPORTUNITYast spring, ADA identified an oppor-unity for individual dietetics profes-ional and affiliate efforts by workingith the National Governors Associa-

ion (NGA) on their shared goals for aore healthful America.

This article was written byJuliana Smith, MEd, director ofState Government Relations inADA’s Washington, DC office.

sdoi: 10.1016/j.jada.2006.03.028

2006 by the American Dietetic Associat

Just 2 years ago, Arkansas Gover-or Mike Huckabee was more than00 lb overweight and had been diag-osed with type 2 diabetes. He didn’take the diagnosis lying down. Now10 lb lighter, the chairman of theGA chose to focus on the millions ofmericans facing the same health

hreat that he faced. Governoruckabee proposed that the NGA

aise awareness of the urgent needor Americans of all ages to live moreealthful, active lives. As a result,n NGA health initiative—Healthymerica: Wellness Where We Live,ork and Learn—was created.The vision of Healthy America is to

pur states to enact solutions at thetate level to inspire the public to be-ome more healthful and more active.ealthy America seeks to educate peo-le on the need for sustainable, long-erm health and lifestyle changes. “Theacts are simple. We weigh too much,nd we don’t exercise enough. We musthange this trend,” said Huckabee.This initiative is about more than los-ng a few pounds. The goal is to con-ince Americans to embrace a healthierifestyle. We’re talking about a culturalhange.”

With a quarter of all Americandults inactive and 65% overweight,he NGA’s plans are to address cul-ure in communities, workplaces, andchools (2), which meshes well withhe scope of ADA and its affiliates.DA worked with Maine’s First Ladyaren Baldacci, RD, to approach theGA about including dietetics profes-

ionals in Healthy America. The NGAgreed that our messages were appro-riate to their work, and shortly afterDA was invited to speak at thepouse’s breakfast meeting as a partf the NGA winter meeting.

DA’S MESSAGE: CONNECT WITH THETATESathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, repre-

ented ADA, addressing the obesity t

ion Journa

hallenge in America in simple, clearerms. She was charged with makinghe connection between ADA state af-liates and the governors’ officesround the country, providing specificxamples of state initiatives involvingietetics professionals. She gave thepouses a challenge to include dietet-cs professionals in their state healthnitiatives and to turn to ADA affili-tes as a resource on food, nutrition,nd health issues.ADA’s contribution to the wintereeting, however, did not end there.he NGA initiative includes an em-hasis on encouraging increasedhysical activity as well as improvedutrition. In stepped another dietet-

cs professional, Felicia Stoler, RD, anxercise physiologist and president ofhe New Jersey Dietetic Association,o lead an exercise segment for thepouses. The surprise to the spousesas enthusiastically received, espe-

ially after scripted to seem as an in-erruption to Mrs Huckabee at theodium.Also addressing the group was

amela Peeke, MD, with Discoveryealth Television and Marva Smalls

f the Nickelodeon Networks. Smallsocused on the opportunity for part-ering with the media and other or-anizations and the importance of ap-ropriate messaging for our children.eeke shared her experiences abouter work with Governor Huckabeend Mrs Huckabee as they visitedchools across the country, ran inarathons, and modeled the changed

ehaviors to reach the goal of Healthymerica.For members who sometimes feel

hat dietetics professionals are over-ooked in state venues, the follow-upas heartening. Many of the gover-ors’ spouses talked about programs

n their states that included workith dietetics professionals and their

xperience with their own dieteticsdvisors. Discussion centered on how

o address the obesity challenge in

l of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION 663

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PUBLIC POLICY NEWS

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64 May 2006 Volume 106 Number 5

heir state with effective messagingnd with partnering with groups thatre a resource for nutrition and foodssues—groups like ADA affiliates.

ADA provided each of the spouses aacket with a resource toolkit, includ-

ng such items as: Healthy Habits forealthy Kids (a collaboration withellPoint Health Networks that pro-

ides a practical nutrition and activityuide for parents), a recent issue ofDA Times that profiles dietetics pro-

essionals in the military, coverage ofDA members making a difference inatural disasters, other resource mate-ial, and a reference for contactingDA affiliate organizations.The final speaker at the NGA win-

er meeting was one of the NGA’slumni, former governor and formerresident Bill Clinton, who had beensked by Governor Huckabee to talkbout his own health and fitness bat-les. Clinton issued a challenge to theovernors to join in an effort to im-rove the culture of food consumptionn ways that reverse the epidemic ofbesity and reduce the growing diabe-es trend in children. Clinton spokebout how rising health care costshreaten the country’s economic com-etitiveness. He offered empathy toow-income families who fill up onast food—unhealthful foods are bothheap and filling he said, and providen inexpensive way to give childrenalories. He also described the chang-ng composition of the American dietnd of food itself. There is no quickolution to the problem, but Clintonaid he and Governor Huckabee haveet a goal to halt the rise in childhoodbesity by 2010 and to reverse it by015. He challenged the nation’s gov-rnors to lead their states and facehe challenge of the Healthy Americanitiative. “The states are the labora-ories of our democracy,” Clinton said.

MPLICATIONS FOR OUR MEMBERShe purpose of the Healthy America

nitiative is to raise national aware-ess of the urgent need for Americansf all ages to live more healthful, ac-ive lives. The emphasis is on two ar-as that present a major opportunityor ADA:

to convene national health andwellness experts and researchersand discuss solutions for obesityprevention and promotion for chil-

dren and adults; and

to assist states in developing pro-grams to reverse the national epi-demic of obesity.

In taking a proactive stance forDA, the initial emphasis must ben looking for opportunities to en-ance the professionalism, credibil-

ty, and recognition of the profes-ion. A priority for ADA is to findember opportunity with value in

he issues addressed in these healthnitiatives.

Once the connection is made, as inhe case with the NGA, the focusust be to further raise the profile of

he profession in each state. Affiliatesan do this by organizing follow-upppointments with state officials, of-ering local messages and resources.

To develop stronger advocacy ef-orts on behalf of dietetics, affiliateeaders need to establish a conversa-ion with key policy makers and opin-on shapers and keep that conversa-ion ongoing. It is ideal to develop aelationship in advance, before anyequest for help on legislation or reg-lation might occur. ADA offers assis-ance and training to members andill support affiliates as they under-

ake self representation and advo-acy.Our state affiliates can be a voice in

heir community if they become moreisible to the legislature, the gover-or’s office, state government offi-ials, and private organizations. Asovernor Huckabee said, “By focus-

ng on wellness where we live, work,nd learn, we can truly start buildinghealthy America.”Dietetics professionals can meet

his challenge with their unique skillsnd knowledge to build successfultate initiatives that make a differ-nce in the health of our country.

eferences. Caira NM, Lachenmayr S, Shein-

feld J, Goodhart FW, Cancialosi L,Lewis C. The health educator’srole in advocacy and policy: Princi-ples, processes, programs, andpartnerships. Health Promot Pract.2003;4:303-313.

. National Governors AssociationWeb site. Healthy America: Well-ness Where We Live, Work, andLearn [brochure]. Available at:http: //www.nga .org/Files/pdf/05HUCKABEEBROCHURE.pdf.

Accessed March 8, 2006.