Youth Health Ambassadors Christina Hall Sprouting Justice empowering Santa Ana youth through food systems and nutrition education
Feb 22, 2016
Youth Health Ambassadors
Christina HallSprouting Justice
empowering Santa Ana youth through food systems and nutrition education
The Background Story
Food Insecurity in the County• Orange County ranks #2 in California for
the number and percentage of food insecure adults.
• 52.4% of low-income households are food insecure
• 18.3% of these are considered to be in the category of very low food security
Food Related Health Impacts in Santa Ana
• 46.5% of youth are overweight or obese
• 70+% of adults are overweight or obese
• High levels of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease
Medical Services in Santa Ana• The lowest rate of people covered by
health insurance in the county
• Portions of the city are considered as both a Health Professionals Shortage Area and a Medically Underserved Population
Santa Ana Demographics• The 4th most densely populated city in the
U.S.
• The largest population of youth in the county
• The average age is 36
• Highest rates of violent crime and poverty in the county
Landscape of poverty
poverty + food insecurity + lack of activities =
social injustice
Empowerment Through Food and Fun
Youth Health Ambassadors• A Program of TeenSpace at the Santa
Ana Public Library
• 10 Week Summer Session
• 10 Month Regular Session
Summer Program• Introductory Program
• Gardening
• Field Trips
• Service Projects
Health & Well-Being• Food Access & Food System• Nutrition & Healthy Eating• Food Traditions• Marketing & Messaging• Social Justice• Environmental Impacts of Food• Ingredients• Drugs and Alcohol
Putting it All Together• Cooking• Recipes• Budgeting• Grocery Shopping• Farmers Market• Family Meals
Sharing New Information• Blogging
• Movies
• Health Fair
• Friends & Family
Any Questions?
Christina [email protected]