What do we mean by unhealthy products and practices?
___Unhealthy products and practices are products and practices that can be harmful, in either the long term or the short term, to those who use or engage in them, and/or to others as well.
___Unhealthy products are often unhealthy only when they’re used to excess or inappropriately.
___Some unhealthy practices are linked to products, others are not.
___Unhealthy products and practices are not always directly related to physical health, but may also be related to the social, psychological, economic, and/or political health of individuals and the community.
Why modify access to unhealthy products and practices?
___To encourage healthy lifestyles and improve health and life expectancy for individuals.
___To prevent or alleviate social expense.
___To improve the quality of life for everyone in the community.
___To improve the chances of healthy child development.
___To send the right messages to youth.
___To create and sustain a healthy community.
When should you support efforts to modify access to unhealthy products and practices?
___When new facilities are opening.
___When there’s a change in local administration.
___When a community health problem that can be prevented or reduced by modifying access – obesity, smoking, substance use, etc. – is in the news.
___When a particular community health issue reaches a critical level.
___When there’s a community health-related campaign already under way.
___Before something becomes a problem.
Who should support efforts to modify access to unhealthy products and practices?
___Policy makers in both public and private sectors.
___Health and other professionals.
___People affected by the product or practice, or who will be affected by a change in access.
___Any other interested stakeholders or groups.
How do you support efforts to modify access to unhealthy products and practices?
Modify access to unhealthy products and practices through:
___Laws and ordinances.
___Regulations established by government agencies or business and industry.
___Taxes or other economic measures.
___Voluntary actions taken by retailers or other businesses and industries because of community pressure or because of corporate civic responsibility.
___Physical barriers.
___Enforcement of existing laws and regulations.
___Public education.
Support existing efforts to modify access through:
___Advocacy.
___Research.
___Support and logistics.
Mount your own initiative:
___Assemble a diverse group, with representatives of all concerned stakeholders, to plan and spearhead the effort.
___Determine the readiness of the population and community to change behavior.
___Decide what kind of modification you’re going to work for.
___Advocate, Advocate, Advocate!
___Target local lawmakers to pass laws and ordinances.
___Approach agencies to institute or change policies or regulations.
___Negotiate with business or industry for changes in their internal or external policies or practices.
___Conduct a public education campaign.
___Conduct a social action campaign.
___Keep at it.