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January 2015
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Dear Friends

Elissa's Pic

 

Welcome to the first edition of the Rethink Your Drink newsletter by the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity!

 

We are pleased to send monthly updates on the latest news and research related to the health harms of sugary drinks, as well as opportunities for engaging in our Illinois Rethink Your Drink campaign. 

 

We thank you for your continued support of the Rethink Your Drink campaign and your help in spreading the word!

 

In solidarity,    

 

Elissa Bassler

Executive Director, Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity

CEO, Illinois Public Health Institute

New Rethink Your Drink and HEAL Act Materials!

IAPO has released updated Rethink Your Drink materials for 2015. Check out the new materials and feel free to download and print them from the IAPO website, here
Also, if you'd like to become a Rethink Your Drink community speaker, you can download and view the training webinar here

Are you hosting Rethink Your Drink events or presenting this information to your community? Be sure to let us know by emailing Janna

 
Sugary Drink News, Research, and Resources 
  • Read the op-ed by IAPO's Executive Director Elissa Bassler and Dr. Goutham Rao, chairman of the obesity committee of the American Heart Association, in support the HEAL Act in the The State Journal-Register here
  • In the November 2014 election, Berkeley, California voters were the first in the U.S. to approve a penny-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks, including soda, energy drinks, and juices with added sugar.  There was strong public support for the tax, with 74% of Berkeley residents voting in favor. A majority of nearby San Francisco voters supported a two penny-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks but a 2/3 majority was needed to pass the tax in San Francisco. Read more here
     
  • Wendy's is the latest fast food chain to remove sugary drinks from its children's menu offerings.  Wendy's joins McDonalds, Subway, Chipotle, Arby's and Panera already offering healthier beverage options for children, leaving Burger King as the last major burger chain still offering soda in meals targeted to children. Read more
  • The Public Health Law Center released a new resource called, "Healthier Beverage Policies & Drinks with Artificial Sweeteners" which can be found here
  • Led by advocates from the University of California's Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI), efforts are afoot to have a water icon added to the US Department of Agriculture's MyPlate.  While many adults aren't aware of the MyPlate specifics, the 2011 revision to the government's MyPyramid, the former is a commonly used nutrition education tool in schools, hospitals and public institutions.  NPI hopes the presence of the water icon will help promote health benefits and more overtly discourage consumption of sugary drinks. Read more here.  
  • "Coca-Cola said that while it may be selling less soda, smaller packs are pushing up revenue."  As part of the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2014, the major beverage companies, Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper and Snapple Group, pledged to "slash calorie consumption from beverages in the US by 20% over the next decade."  Both Coke and Pepsi have been selling downsized cans and bottles with lower calorie counts at a higher price-per-ounce for the last few years, but current efforts are being made to more aggressively market and distribute them to support corporate health goals.  Read more here
  • San Francisco Bay Area Youth, public health officials and concerned community members launched in mid-January the OPEN the TRUTH campaign designed to educate people about the tactics of the beverage industry and the negative health impact of its products. Learn more here

Upcoming Events


*[TODAY!] January 23, 2015, 1pm-2pm: An Intro to the Healthy Eating Active Living Act for new organizations wishing to learn more and endorse the proposal. Contact Janna if you'd like to be included in a call to learn more about the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Act and how your organization can endorse the proposal. The HEAL Act will help provide Illinois kids, families, and communities the tools they need to live healthier lives through an excise tax on sugary drinks. 

About IAPO

The Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity (IAPO) is a statewide coalition comprised of stakeholders working for a state-level response to the obesity epidemic. IAPO works to shape and advance solutions to reverse dangerous obesity trends.

 
IAPO supporters believe that Illinois must respond to the obesity epidemic by developing coordinated systems, policy improvements and investment on the scale of the problem.  This initiative was launched and is coordinated by the Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI).  To learn more about IAPO, visit www.preventobesityil.org . 

Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity

Convened by the Illinois Public Health Institute   

954 W. Washington Blvd., Ste. 405 MB 10,

Chicago, IL 60607

(312) 850-4744 voice

(312) 850-4040 fax