December 2017
Program Update from Dr. Thompson
Greetings!
As the holidays quickly approach, I wanted to first express my condolences to all those affected by the recent fires in Southern California. It seems like not long ago we were hearing from Dr. Tara Scott about the impact of the fires in Sonoma County. Our thoughts are with you all.

Our offices will be closed December 25 - 26, 29 and January 1. When we return, we look forward to kicking off the New Year with another Work-In-Progress call hosted by Dr. Alicia Fernandez on Tuesday, January 23. We will also have more information about opportunities for fellows to present at the upcoming Mini College on Friday, April 20 in San Diego.

We look forward to seeing you all in the new year!
In Health,

Vanessa Thompson, MD
Associate Professor, UCSF School of Medicine
Principal Investigator, Champion Provider Fellowship
Upcoming Events
Work-In-Progress Call #2 with Dr. Alicia Fernandez
Tuesday, January 23, 12:15PM - 1:15PM.

Dr. Alicia Fernandez will be hosting another Work-In-Progress (WIP) call on January 23. Many thanks to the fellows that were able to join us for the call in November. To register for the second WIP please click here . Note: WIPs are for Champion Provider Fellows only.
CMA logo
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Policy Webinar hosted by California Medical Association (CMA)
Wednesday, February 28, 12:15PM - 1:15PM

Sodas and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) remain the leading source of added sugars in the American diet for both children and adults. Research indicates that higher consumption of SSBs is associated with increased obesity and chronic disease risk, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Several local California cities and counties have passed policies to reduce consumption of sugary beverages. This webinar will discuss how communities are working to pass and implement prevention interventions aimed at reducing sugary beverage consumption, and how clinicians can lend their voice during the phases of these local campaigns. CME units will be provided for the webinar.
Champion Provider Fellowship Mini College Friday, April 20 (San Diego, CA)

Our next in-person training will be Friday, April 20 in San Diego, CA. This training is for fellows and local health department representatives. The agenda for the training will be available at the start of the new year.
Recent Champion Provider Fellow Activities
It has been wonderful to hear from fellows about all the great work they have been doing in the community. Here are a few highlights of activities reported from August 2017 thru October 2017:

  • Submission of letters to city council in support of a city ordinance to make water/milk the default choice on kids' menus. Here is an example of a letter submitted by Dr. Sharon DiPierro (San Mateo County): Healthy Drink Ordinance Letter of Support
  • Interview with local newspaper about the rising rates of diabetes among minority youth in the Central Valley. Read Dr. Renee Kinman's (Fresno County) comments here: Valley Diabetes Patients Getting Younger; More Minorities
  • Attendance at local Community Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP) meetings
  • Meeting with local health department about opportunities to collaborate around clinic's current grant funded food insecurity screening project
  • Creation of a map outlining all the food distribution sites in the county that can be given to patients during clinic visits
If you are a fellow from cohort #2 and have yet to submit your Quarterly Activity Update, please do so as soon as possible. If you are interested in learning more about the activities reported above, please contact Alana Pfeffinger at alana.pfeffinger@ucsf.edu .

Also, don't forget to reach out to the Champion Provider Fellowship team for assistance in moving your PSE work forward. Click here for a list of all the ways we can help!
From the Field: Recent Articles & Publications
From the Field highlights recent articles and publications compiled by Champion Provider Fellowship project team members. We invite Champion Provider Fellows and partners to submit articles and publications for consideration in future e-newsletters. Note: Articles and publications included on this list are for reference and information purposes only and do not imply endorsement by the federal government, California Department of Public Health, or the University of California, San Francisco.
 
Diabetes hits hard as California spends billions on treatment, little on prevention
Aguilera, Elizabeth. CALmatters. November 27, 2017
California has been lagging behind when it comes to state-level spending on diabetes prevention efforts. Beginning July 2018, $5 million will go towards Medi-Cal recipients enrolled in a program modeled off of the CDC's Diabetes Prevention Program. It is estimated that 25,000 people will be able to participate in the program each year. Over the next 5-years the state projects saving $45 million in treatment expenses. Access the article here .
 
Food Swamps Predict Obesity Rates Better Than Food Deserts in the United States.
Cooksey-Stowers, Schwartz & Brownell. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017
This paper studied the impact of food environments on adult obesity rates. Food swamps were a greater predictor of adult obesity rates than the absence of full-service grocery stores. The authors suggest that zoning laws should simultaneously restrict access to unhealthy food outlets while providing incentives for healthy food retailers to settle in high need areas. Access the article here .

Healthy Food Policy Project.
The Healthy Food Policy Project is a partnership between the Vermont Law School's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, Public Health Law Center at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and the University of Connecticut Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The project contains a searchable database of local healthy food policies and case studies showcasing the policy development process around healthy food initiatives. Access the databases and case studies here .

Advancing Obesity Solutions Through Investment in the Built Environment: Proceedings of a Workshop-- In Brief
National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. December 2017.
This brief outlines key points made by workshop participants about ways in which healthful and equitable built environments can be created. The panel highlighted four key actions steps to move this work forward: 1) understanding and meeting the needs of the community, 2) evaluating impact, 3) communicating with stakeholders, and 4) building partnerships. Workshop attendees included real estate developers, local and state government representatives and non-profit organizations. The brief can be accessed here.

Contact:
 
Questions or Comments? 
Please contact Alana Pfeffinger, MPH, CHES
Project Coordinator, Champion Provider Fellowship
Phone: (415) 206 - 5141