Debra Haire-Johsu, PhD, served in Washington, D.C., as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation fellow on Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee staff, providing expertise on a number of issues related to obesity (2003-2006). Most recently, she worked as a fill-in in the office of Senator, Barack Obama (2007). She was also Chair of Health Policy for the Society of Behavioral Medicine (2004-2007).

State Level Initiatives

At the state level, the OPC is offering assistance to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).  DHSS was awarded a grant by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the state agency has developed a comprehensive plan to reduce overweight and obesity among Missouri residents.  Missouri’s plan to reduce overweight and obesity is outlined in Healthy Missourians Initiative: Preventing Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases – Missouri’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan.  The plan overview may be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Healthy Missourian Initiative (.PDF)

In assisting Missouri DHSS in combating the obesity epidemic in Missouri, the OPC has provided DHSS with two policy briefs.  The purpose of the briefs is to inform Missouri policymakers so that policies promoting healthy school environments may be implemented.  Below are links to two policy briefs: Childhood Obesity & Healthy Foods & Beverages in Schools; the second brief is tentatively entitled, Promoting Physical Activity & Nutrition in Missouri’s Schools.

Childhood Obesity (.DOC)

Promoting Physical Activity (.DOC)

State Legislative Information

Current Research

The OPC is collaborating with the Prevention Research Center (also at the St. Louis University School of Public Health) on a research project analyzing characteristics of state politics and legislative content that may influence introduction and passage of childhood obesity laws in various states.  The research will also seek to identify model legislation that is effective in promoting healthy environments for school-age children.  For more information, please click on the press release below:

http://www.slu.edu/readstory/more/6104

Parental Influences on Obesity Risk Behaviors in Preschool Children

Policy Briefs

Fighting Childhood Obesity

Preventing Childhood Obesity in Missouri

Reducing Diabetes Risk in Missouri

Preventing Diabetes

Promoting Physical Activity in Missouri

Increasing Healthy food Options in Missouri Schools

Reducing the use of Tobacco Products in Missouri

"It is unreasonable to expect that people will easily change their behavior when so many forces in the social, cultural and physical environment conspire against such change. If successful programs are to be developed to prevent disease and improve health, attention must be given not only to the behavior of individuals, but also to the environmental context within which people live."

– from “Promoting Health: Intervention Strategies from Social and Behavioral Research” (2000) Institute of Medicine (IOM)