Feeding Health or Disease? The 2012 Farm Bill

Obesity and other diet-related diseases are driving costly health care. Increasingly, we find ourselves with a Cadillac health care system and a Ding Dong food system. Both are plagued by exploding costs and unequal benefits to the American public.

The long, painful process of health reform is wrapping up while the debate about the next $300 billion, five-year Farm Bill is about to begin. What role can health professionals play in bringing about a healthier Farm Bill, and a healthier food system?

In this webinar, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Medical Director and IATP Food and Society Fellow alumnus Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, will explore the parallels between health reform and the Farm Bill. Anne Haddix, Ph.D., senior policy advisor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will discuss the agency’s interest in the linkages between food systems and health, the burden of disease and potential policy strategies. Finally, David Wallinga, MD of The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy will reflect on the health community’s advocacy for the 2008 Farm Bill, and opportunities for healthy food and healthier farming in the new bill.

SLIDES:

• Eduardo Sanchez
• Anne Haddix
• David Wallinga