Policies determine our quality of life. They are the agreements, the codes that shape every aspect of our lives. Policies at the local level play a particularly important role because it is there that health advocates are better able to mobilize and win effective and innovative laws to support healthy food access and access to recreation resources. One recent example of how policy can be used to create a healthier environment is in Los Angeles, where the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance placing a moratorium on new fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles where outlets were over concentrated. Residents are fighting to get support for more food markets and other healthy food outlets.
Why Policy Matters