Local Policy Agenda

Local policies play a critical role in shaping food and physical activity environments and influencing population-level health outcomes.  

Decisions made at the local level, such as those related to land use, transportation, food retail, and procurement, directly affect access to healthy food, opportunities for physical activity, and exposure to conditions that contribute to chronic disease and health inequities. Through policy action, local health departments help shape conditions so that healthy choices are easier and more accessible for all Californians. 

This Local Policy Agenda and companion Local Policy Agenda Table are practical resources for local health departments (LHDs) and their partners across local government and community settings. These resources are intended to support LHDs in advancing community-level policies that promote healthy eating, active living, health equity, and chronic disease prevention, whether by initiating new efforts, strengthening existing policies, or supporting implementation and enforcement. They can help cities and counties advance efforts to develop, adopt, and implement local healthy eating/nutrition, active living/physical activity, and supportive chronic disease prevention policies. 

For each policy solution, the Local Policy Agenda outlines: 

• A menu of data-informed, timely, and reasonable policies for LHDs and their partners to consider 
• Critical steps and anticipated challenges to develop and implement these policies 
• Key roles LHDs can play in supporting local partners 
• Potential legal considerations for local communities 
• Strategies to support equitable and effective community empowerment