Addressing social and racial justice in public policy for healthy living

• Published in: Progress in cardiovascular diseases Vol. 71; pp. 37 - 42
• Main Authors: Whitsel, Laurie P., Johnson, Janay C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-03-2022
• Subjects: Equity; Exercise; Healthy Lifestyle; Healthy living; Humans; Policy; Policy Making; Public Policy; Race and social justice; Social Justice; Structural racism; United States - epidemiology; United States; Policy; CACFP; Equity; PUP; SNAP; WIC; PA; Race and social justice; LGBTQ; Structural racism; CSPAP; Healthy living; US
• ISSN: 0033-0620; 1532-8643; 1873-1740
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2022.04.007

Long-standing health disparities stemming from the historical, inequitable distribution of wealth, power, and privilege in the United States exist across almost every health indicator and outcome. There is a need for equitable policy, systems, and environment changes that are rooted in an understanding of the historical arc of structural racism across obesity prevention and treatment, ending tobacco and nicotine addiction and increasing access to healthy, affordable foods and physical activity opportunities and infrastructure. This paper explores the influence of structural inequities on the proliferation of health-compromising social conditions, and opportunities to leverage the policymaking process at the local, state, and federal levels to cultivate environments that support healthy living. Policy makers, community change leaders and advocacy organizations, with powerful grassroots voices can catalyze movements, advocacy campaigns and equitable policy change that address race and social justice and support healthy living for all.