English

MEDIA ALERT

Report this content

Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress and Public Health Experts Issue Call to Protect and Strengthen SNAP as a 21st Century Nutrition Program

Comprehensive Study Urges Public Health Approaches and Innovations to Address the Nation’s Dual Crises of Food Insecurity and Obesity


WHAT/WHO:   

Capitol Hill briefing on findings and recommendations from the most comprehensive public health study conducted to date on SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program). SNAP serves as a critical safety net for 46.2 million Americans, 50 percent of whom are children under the age of 19.

Speakers will include Members of Congress and:

  • Susan Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A.

Director, Health and Medicine Program, Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress; Former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General; Project Director, SNAP to Health Initiative

  • Walter Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H.

Chairman and Frederick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health

  • Marion Nestle, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Paulette Goddard Professor and Former Chair, Department of Nutrition, New York University

  • David Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Professor of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health; Director, New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center, Children’s Hospital Boston

WHEN:               

Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:             

Russell Senate Office Building, Room 385

Washington, D.C.

WHY:                  

Debate in Congress over SNAP (Food Stamps) has included proposals for dramatic funding cuts to the program, which 1 out of 7 Americans depend on for food. Protecting current funding levels for SNAP is essential given the nation’s food insecurity crisis. There is also is an urgent need to strengthen SNAP to more effectively address the nation’s obesity epidemic – and the alarming rise of obesity-related chronic diseases in children and adults.

Grounded in scientific evidence, the comprehensive SNAP to Health report provides a roadmap for policy makers, public health professionals, researchers, educators, advocates and industry to work together to modernize and strengthen this important program for low-income Americans to help address two of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges – food insecurity and obesity.

CONTACT:        

Berry Brady, 703.609.6643, berry@slfstrategies.com

Tags:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP public health Center for the Study of the Presidency Congress Protect and Strengthen SNAP 21st Century Nutrition Program