Strategic Overview

Strategic Focus: Preventing Youth Obesity

In 2003, Oregon Public Health Institute (OPHI) Board of Directors identified prevention of youth obesity as our organization's first strategic focus. We believe that addressing the issue of youth obesity is a public health imperative. The stakes are high. The epidemic of youth obesity is compromising the health of our children and undermining their future.

To address the youth obesity epidemic, OPHI's goals are to: increase public awareness of the serious health consequences of being overweight, and develop strategies to assist communities in preventing youth obesity through effective nutrition and fitness policies and activities. Our target audience spans individuals to institutions. It includes parents, educators, legislators, policy makers, the business community, schools, service organizations and community planners.  We currently address the complex issue of youth obesity through project-based work in the following areas:

• Breastfeeding
• Healthy Community Planning
• Healthy Eating
• Healthy Schools & Childcare
• Health Insurers & Business
• Coalitions & Partnerships