National Alliance for Hispanic Health Leads Diverse “Friends of the Court” in Support of NYC Policy to Reduce Sugary Drink Portion Size
Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 03, 2014 -- EMBARGOED: June 4, 2014 - 2:00pm EST — “The beverage industry has pursued a strategy of legal obstruction and put profits over the health of its customers and I am confident that the Court of Appeals will rule in favor of the health of New Yorkers,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading advocate for Hispanic health.
Today, Dr. Delgado joined with NYC Health Commissioner Mary Bassett to hear the City argue its case before the New York Court of Appeals in support of the NYC Board of Health policy on sugar-sweetened beverages. Prior to today’s hearing, the Alliance along with a diverse group of partners filed an amicus brief with the Court in support of the policy. The brief cited scientific literature on the contribution of sugary drinks to obesity and chronic disease such as diabetes, targeted marketing to youth and racial and ethnic groups, and the role of reduction of sugary drink consumption through smaller serving sizes as part of a strategy for improved community health.
According to Dr. Delgado, setting the default serving size of sweetened beverages to 16 ounces or less, “is a modest and reasonable policy that deserves to be implemented and evaluated. It could save lives and decrease the burden of disease, including type 2 diabetes that affects one in 10 adults in New York City.”
“We are proud to be on the right side of this issue for the health of all communities and families. The NYC Board of Health policy on sugar-sweetened beverages is a common sense approach to promote healthier environments for all New Yorkers and will serve as a model for the nation,” concluded Dr. Delgado.
(Court of document NEW YORK COUNTY Index No. 653584/12)
###
The National Alliance for Hispanic Health is a non-partisan action and advocacy organization working for the best health outcomes for all.. For more information, visit http://www.hispanichealth.org, call the Alliance’s Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2645, or find us on Facebook at healthyamericas or on Twitter @health4americas.
Abigail Hernandez, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, +1 202-797-4357, [email protected]
Share this article