Local health agencies plan course of action to battle obesity rate in Imperial Valley

Local health agencies came together for a workshop to battle Imperial County’s obesity rate. One of the problems is a lack of access to quality food.

“The degree to which people have access to affordable, quality food, recreation, economic development. There are a range of issues that causes health inequities. And very little of it has to do with health care,” said Mildred Thompson, Health Equity consultant.

Providing residents with healthier food options and equal access to programs are some of the solutions that the county hopes can improve their health.

Jorge Torres, Imperial County Public Health Department Program Supervisor said, “unhealthy food is the one that’s available all the time. So what we do is we try to see how can work with the community and see how we can increase access to these healthy food. Whether it be promoting summer meal programs, or whether it be other programs that provide healthy food.”

With agencies working together for the same cause, they plan on using their strengths to make the valley a healthier environment and extend the way of life for residents. ” So what we hope to accomplish is to work with different partners. To see what everyone is doing out of the community. And see how we can collaborate with those partners. And see how we can maximize our efforts to decrease food insecurities and increase access to healthy food in Imperial County.”

There’s also more marketing of unhealthy food in low income communities like Imperial County. Making it harder to tackle obesity in the Valley.