Coalition Accomplishments
HKHM’s Mission
Over the past 30 years, obesity rates have continued to increase rapidly across all age groups. Among children ages 6-11, the national rate of childhood obesity has quadrupled. In Michigan, nearly $3 billion is spent in annual medical costs treating obese adults. If these trends continue, the children of Michigan maybe the first generation to have a shorter life span than their parents.
The Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition was formed in 2008 following efforts in 2007 to prioritize obesity prevention policy. Dedicated to reducing childhood obesity in Michigan through strategic policy initiatives, the coalition is now comprised of decision makers from more than 120 organizations statewide. Participating members are experts from the public sector and both, for profit and not for profit entities in the private sector. The coalition reviews and develops its policy priorities annually and, through strong collaborative partnerships and lobbying efforts, delivers a unified, clear message to other organizations, community leaders, and policy makers in state government.
The coalition has had many legislative successes:
The coalition worked with technical and administrative teams to integrate the additions of height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) capabilities to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), a database already used for tracking public health trends in children, such as vaccination rates.
We have four Policy Action Teams that each has their own goals and agenda to help support the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition. Those committees are:
2015 Policy Priorities:
Over the past 30 years, obesity rates have continued to increase rapidly across all age groups. Among children ages 6-11, the national rate of childhood obesity has quadrupled. In Michigan, nearly $3 billion is spent in annual medical costs treating obese adults. If these trends continue, the children of Michigan maybe the first generation to have a shorter life span than their parents.
The Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition was formed in 2008 following efforts in 2007 to prioritize obesity prevention policy. Dedicated to reducing childhood obesity in Michigan through strategic policy initiatives, the coalition is now comprised of decision makers from more than 120 organizations statewide. Participating members are experts from the public sector and both, for profit and not for profit entities in the private sector. The coalition reviews and develops its policy priorities annually and, through strong collaborative partnerships and lobbying efforts, delivers a unified, clear message to other organizations, community leaders, and policy makers in state government.
The coalition has had many legislative successes:
- 2011 through 2013 HKHM successfully lobbied to include language in the School Aid Budget to provide financial incentives for including physical and health education in K-12 curriculum.
- 2010, the coalition supported the passage of legislation calling for “Complete Streets”, to ensure that roadways are designed with all users in mind, including motorists, bicyclists, public transportation riders and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
- 2012, HKHM supported the Michigan Nutrition Standards for schools, adopted by the Michigan State Board of Education and emphasizing the consumption of colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy, beans, nuts and lean proteins.
- In 2008, the coalition successfully lobbied for the passage of PA 231 to encourage access to fresh and healthy foods for residents of underserved communities. PA 231 made food retailers eligible for property tax abatements if they chose to expand, improve or develop in underserved rural and urban communities.
The coalition worked with technical and administrative teams to integrate the additions of height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) capabilities to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), a database already used for tracking public health trends in children, such as vaccination rates.
We have four Policy Action Teams that each has their own goals and agenda to help support the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition. Those committees are:
- Health, Family and Childcare Services Policy Action Team - HPAT
- Education Policy Action Team – EPAT
- Community Policy Action Team Healthy Food Access – CPAT-Healthy Food Access
- Community Policy Action Team Physical Activity – CPAT-PA
2015 Policy Priorities:
- Ensure Quality Health & Physical Education in Schools
- Ensure Access Healthy Foods in all Communities Across Michigan
- Promote Active Lifestyles, via Safe Routes to Schools, Bike Lanes etc…
- Ensure Health Providers Have Tools to Prevent/Treat Childhood Obesity
