Announcing the first research priority for the Global Centre for Healthy Food Environments.
What research will we be doing?
Over the next few months, the Global Centre for Healthy Food Environments will be working to answer the following question: What is the definition of a Healthy Food Environment in health care systems? We will be answering this question by (i) conducting a rapid literature review and (ii) engaging with an international team of subject matter experts. We aim to complete the research by October 2022.
Why are we doing this research?
The food available to patients, staff and visitors in health care settings and the environments in which the food is served have the potential to significantly impact health and well-being as well as wider population health, given the responsibility health care systems have for public health messaging. With rising food costs, it is now more important than ever to ensure money spent on food provision is achieving the best health outcomes.
However, there does not seem to be a commonly accepted definition of Healthy Food Environments. Therefore, this research will provide clarity around what we mean by Healthy Food Environments and will explore the implications of the proposed definition for health care systems.
How will we use the research findings?
We will use the research findings in three ways:
- We will publish the research findings in a short policy report, which will be freely available via the Global Centre for Healthy Food Environments website.
- We will hold a short Zoom event to launch the conclusions of our research and to discuss perspectives with team members from the Global Centre for Healthy Food Environments and the international team of subject matter experts.
- We are developing an education programme, which focuses on the creation of Healthy Food Environments. The research findings will feed into the creation of the education programme.
How could you be involved?
If you are interested in learning more about this research or the Global Centre for Healthy Food Environments more broadly, please click here. To speak to a member of the Global Centre for Healthy Food Environments team, please contact Matt Salt, m.salt@sprink.co.uk
