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January 26. 2011
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Progress against Hunger and Obesity
Better access to
healthy meals
in schools
by
S usan C astillo
A good month for
a d v o c a te s
of
children’s health and
nutrition. In early
December, Congress
passed the Healthy, Hunger-
Free Kids Act - an improved
child nutrition bill which repre­
sents the most significant invest­
ment in the National School
Lunch program in more than 30
years.
Here in Oregon, and around
the nation, we have been faced
with the duel epidemics of child
hunger and child obesity. This
important legislation will work to
tackle both of these critical is­
sues by increasing access to
healthy, nutritious meals in school
cafeterias and increasing the
number of students eligible to
enroll in school meal programs.
This legislation would not have
been possible without the
dedication and vision of
ad v o cates, ed u cato rs,
nutritionists, legislators,
and community leaders
from around the country.
I want to express my sin­
cere gratitude to all those
who helped - both directly and
behind the scenes - to get this
bill passed. It will make a signifi­
cant difference in the lives and
health of our students.
We all know how important
good nutrition is to healthy bod­
ies and healthy minds. Students
can’t focus on learning if they
are hungry or not receiving
proper nutrition. This new legis­
lation will help ensure our stu­
dents are growing up healthy
and hunger-free.
However, hunger is not only
an issue during the school year.
Oregon has the second highest
child hunger rate in the nation,
and many families rely heavily
on the meals students receive at
school to supplement what is
available at home.
Summer can be one of the
worst times for families suffer­
ing from food insecurity. While
summer food programs are of­
fered throughout the state, some
families find it hard to make it to
a local food service location.
This can be a particular chal­
lenge in rural areas.
In an effort to fight student
h u n g e r o v e r th e su m m e r
m onths, the USDA has issued
dem onstration grants to five
s ta te s in c lu d in g O re g o n .
O regon’s grant, adm inistered
by the O regon D epartm ent of
Human Services, will provide
low -incom e fam ilies in Linn
and Jefferson counties with
additional money for food this
summer. In these two counties,
p a rtic ip a tin g fa m ilie s w ith
school-age children will receive
a SNAP benefit card, similar to
a debit card, which they can use
in stores to buy food. The food
benefit will be $60 per child per
month during the summer. This
project is designed to help fight
student hunger over the summer
months by supplementing the
family food budget. Participat­
ing students will still be eligible to
take part in site-based summer
food programs.
Both this grant and the nutri­
tion legislation passed by con­
gress will make a real and mea­
surable difference for some of
our most vulnerable kids and
help ensure that they receive
access to the nutritious meals
they need - both in and out of
school.
Susan Castillo is the Or­
egon Superintendent o f Pub­
lic Instruction.
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Health Care Law Breaks Racial Barriers
Aim is access to
medical help when
you need it
It’s never been a secret that race and
income play a part in the quality of medical
care an individual receives. But these num­
bers are shocking.
In a country as rich as America, the
expectation should be that all children live
through infancy and grow into healthy adults.
However, children born to African-Ameri­
can women are three times more likely to
die before they make it to their first year
than those born to women of other races.
if one does find themselves struggling with
one of these illnesses, they should be able to
access quality medical care early and often
and not have to worry about costs.
If the diseases go untreated, the long­
term effects go far beyond the individual:
by J udge M athis
society ultimately pays. $7 billion to be
Republicans, trying to
exact. That’s how much is spent a year
make good on campaign
treating preventable diseases in this coun­
promises, are working
try. And African Americans have twice the
hard to repeal the 2010
rate of preventable hospitalizations than
h e a lth c a re law th at,
whites.
once fully implemented, will pro­
Before Republicans continue
With healthcare more readily available,
vide health insurance in some
with their plan of repealing the
form for all Americans.
it is safe to assume that chronic conditions healthcare law, with no workable
Those who supported the law
proposal for a replacement, they
realize that it’s imperfect but rec-
be treated regularly and early,
should first think about what price
was an im“
t
—
U n d S“ V in8
the country will have to pay if
they are successful.
time, the law win save billions of the larger public money in the long run.
The Republican Party should
dollars and ensure that Ameri­
not on ly leav e the c u rre n t
cans, regardless of income, can access
If the child does make it to adulthood, healthcare law intact, they should sit down
medical help when they need it.
they will be twice as likely to suffer from with Democrats and strategize to improve
A new study shows us that money will be high blood pressure and much more likely to it. One of those improvements should be
saved in other ways, too. A report released suffer from heart disease or have a stroke funding more community clinics in urban
by the Center for Disease Control and than their white counterparts. And, unfor­ areas - clinics that educate and counsel
Prevention reveals shocking racial health tunately, their chances of contracting HIV, residents on disease prevention. The Re­
disparities. Billions of dollars are spent each the virus that causes AIDS, is shockingly publican Party needs to realize that honor­
year treating illnesses in advanced stages. higher than that of whites.
ing campaign promises is important but only
With healthcare more readily available, it is
Granted, each of these illnesses are pre­ if that promise is in the best interest of the
safe to assume that chronic conditions can ventable. Personal responsibility - eating entire nation.
be treated regularly and early, avoiding right, exercising, practicing safe sex - goes
Greg Mathis is a form er Michigan
costly hospital stays and saving the larger a long way in making sure an individual is District Court Judge and current syndi­
public money in the long run.
not afflicted with these diseases. However, cated television show judge.
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