Tackling Obesity

Montefiore Medical Center's goal was to increase access and supply of healthy food and beverage options in local stores. To do so, it partnered with local bodegas and community-based organizations in the Bronx to target four areas where obesity was high. This partnership, Healthy Store Initiative, enhanced the promotion, supply and demand of integrating more healthy food options in stores. Due to this, many local stores made healthier food and beverages items more visible and available. All stores now sold water at eye-level in refrigerators and have low-sodium canned beans and canned fruit. Additionally, access to both fresh fruits and dried fruits increased by 25 percent.

This case study is part of the HANYS Triple Aim series highlighting how New York hospitals are improving health, enhancing quality and reducing costs. Hospitals, nursing homes and home care agencies across New York State are pursuing the Triple Aim. In spite of fiscal constraints, HANYS members are embracing the challenge of transforming health care and are implementing new and innovative approaches to delivery.