Access to healthy food and environments for physical activity are key factors that influence health. NYAM works closely with policy makers and community partners to develop evidence-based policies and programs that create healthy communities by addressing opportunities for healthy food production, distribution and availability, as well as safe and convenient places to be active.
Selected Work
Food Policy and Food Insecurity in NYC
In 2019 NYAM received four-year funding from the National Institutes of Health to conduct a social network analysis with organizations in New York City (NYC) implementing food and nutrition programming. The goal is to examine how strong community partnerships can improve public health outcomes for limited-resource populations. The study also seeks to understand the impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity in NYC.
Research to Support Income and Food Security Among Latinx Immigrant Families
NYAM’s Center for Evalution and Applied Research (CEAR) is collaborating with Make the Road New York (MRNY), a community-based organization that builds the power of immigrant communities, on a study examining policies and practices that perpetuate, exacerbate or reduce inequities related to income and food security for low-income Latinx immigrant families. The research focuses on access to well-established benefit programs (e.g., SNAP); innovative city and state-specific programs, including initiatives developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and MRNY Community Health Worker and promotora programs that facilitate access to these services. The work uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods and is funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Designing a Strong and Healthy NYC (DASH-NYC)
NYAM partnered with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to investigate and spread community-based approaches to promoting health and health equity. We co-led the Designing a Strong and Healthy New York City (DASH-NYC) Workgroup, engaging partners from multiple sectors and incorporating a health across all policies approach to chronic disease prevention activities throughout NYC. DASH-NYC publications include a resource guide for those looking to spread or scale proven community-level interventions to improve access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity in NYC neighborhoods.
Visit DASH-NYC Microsite
Related Publications, Events & News
Meet the Team
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