Abstract PL05-06: Policy and environmental approaches to cancer prevention: The New York City experience

Much of the focus on cancer prevention has been on early detection and treatment, but much of the actual progress in reducing cancer mortality has resulted from primary prevention of unhealthy behaviors. Tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity are responsible for a large proportion of cancers in the United States. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene takes a population-based approach to cancer control, focusing on promoting healthy behaviors by changing the social and built environment. This session will present examples of New York City9s environmental approaches to cancer control and data on their effectiveness in a large, diverse urban population. The presenter will discuss the city9s use of legislation and counter-advertising to reduce the number of adult and youth smokers, and will describe initiatives to decrease consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and encourage physical activity. Based on New York City9s experience, public health agencies should expect industry opposition to initiatives that may have an impact on consumer behavior. To succeed, cancer prevention programs based on social and environmental change require involvement of state and local governments and benefit from strong public-private partnerships. Researchers interested in cancer prevention should conduct studies of the impact of policies and other population-based approaches to modifying behaviors that increase the risk of cancers. Learning objectives: 1. Identify two environmental approaches to tobacco control. 2. Describe population-based methods to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and increase physical activity. 3. Describe research questions relevant to policy approaches to primary prevention of cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):PL05-06.