The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute and Cook County PLACE MATTERS Team will hold a press conference on July 26th at the Doubletree Hotel on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago to release a new report titled "Place Matters for Health in Cook County". The report finds dramatic health inequities exist depending on where residents live, with shorter life spans associated with poorer and more segregated neighborhoods. It will recommend policies to address inequitable access to healthy foods, such as a public financing program to stimulate retail in low access areas.

1. Join the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute and
Cook County PLACE MATTERS Team
Press Conference to release a new report
“Place Matters for Health in Cook County”
When: Thursday, July 26th 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Where: Doubletree Hotel on the Magnificent Mile,
LaSalle Room, 300 East Ohio, Chicago, IL
Who: Toni Preckwinkle,
Cook County Board President
Jesus “Chuy” Garcia
Cook County Commissioner (7th District)
Linda Rae Murray, MD, MPH
Immediate Past President, American Public Health Association
Chief Medical Officer, Cook County Department of Public Health
Brian Smedley, PhD
Vice President & Director Joint Center Health Policy Institute
Daniel Block, PhD, Chicago State University
Professor & Food Access Mapping Specialist
• Dramatic inequities exist in the health of county residents, depending on where they
live
• Health inequities are associated with segregation and poverty concentration
• Shorter life spans are associated with poorer and more segregated neighborhoods
• The report builds on a growing body of research that focuses on inequitable access to
healthy foods in the Chicago metro area
• Policy recommendations include implementation of a public financing program to
stimulate healthy food retail in neighborhoods with low food access
Facebook: Facebook.com/ccplacematters Email: placematterscookcounty@gmail.com

2. Media Inquiries: Chris Martin Public Relations chrismartinpublicrelations@gmail.com