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Our Work
Our research focuses on proven strategies of facilitating changes, from the individual level to system-wide policies, to support healthy behaviors, increase access to healthy foods and physical activity, and reduce risk factors that contribute to chronic disease.
Utilizing both the Social Ecological Model (Bronfenbrenner, 1977) and Equity-Oriented Obesity Prevention Framework (Kumanyika, 2019), our work takes place across multi-sector settings such as schools, corner stores, supermarkets, and faith-based communities. We seek to develop community engagement strategies that will result in a community-driven approach to creating a culture of health tailored to the needs and desires of the residents.
Our goal is to examine and affect the different levels of influence that can improve the health and food environment, leading to improved health outcomes and increased resources and capacity in vulnerable communities.
Through authentic community engagement, we address the needs of the individual and community within the social, economic, and cultural contexts where people live, work, learn, and worship to ensure health for all.
The Current Landscape
In the District of Columbia, as well as across the country, where one lives has a significant impact on the opportunities to live a long and healthful life. We’ve often heard the statement “Your zip code may be more important than your genetic code for health.”
Our work is focused in Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, DC, where residents face higher rates of health disparities across many health markers. The local realities and community context must be at the heart of community-led action and transformation that will achieve the strongest and most sustainable impact.
Connect with us!
Instagram: @au.healthstudies
Facebook: @AUhealthstudies
LinkedIn: Department of Health Studies at American University
News & Notes
September 2025 - Watch how Deep Roots Farm, recipient of an Agriculture Infrastructure & Equipment grant, expanded their harvests and are delivering more local, fresh food to DC communities that need it.
September 2025 - Check out this story on NBC4 highlighting the thousands of pounds of food grown by the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild for DC families. FMGG received an Agriculture Infrastructure & Equipment grant through the HSHC Lab's Equitable Food System project funded by Novo Nordisk.
September 2025 - The HSHC Lab is proud to have been a part of DC Health’s efforts to elevate health literacy for DC residents. Reducing health disparities and improving health for all means being able to access and understand trusted health information and apply it to our lives. As our long-time partner Ms. Mary at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church says, “when we know better, we do better.”
Resilient Food System Summit Highlights
September 2025 – As we approach the one-year mark from our Resilient Food System Summit, the power and relevance of the convening remains at the forefront of the work we do every day to build a more equitable food system serving all DC residents. Bringing together thought leaders, dedicated community partners, and change makers is how systems change. Enjoy some of the highlights from the day!
- May 2025: The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab is proud of our work towards a more resilient local food system in DC. This Equitable Food System graphic shares our year two progress, with partners funded across Production, Distribution and Consumption, while zooming in on equipment and infrastructure investments for 12 local farmers.
- March 2025: The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab hosted a Nutrition Education Forum on March 25 — read the full Forum Report. The event highlighted the strong nutrition education partners and programs in DC, and discussed opportunities on the horizon to ensure nutrition education stays responsive and relevant to the communities we serve. It was an engaging morning of collaboration and networking.
Health, nutrition, and the climate are all connected to the foods we eat. There is much focus on eating fruits and vegetables to support good health and balanced nutrition and on the resources that go into growing produce are significant. Dr. Stacey Snelling wrote an article suggesting we consider incorporating more frozen produce into our weekly diets for the health, environmental, and economic benefits. - January 2025: The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab released the Resilient Food System Summit Report. The report shares written and illustrated summaries from keynote and breakout sessions that took place at the October 9, 2024 Summit. Next steps for developing indicators to measure progress toward a more resilient and equitable regional food system in the areas of production, distribution, and consumption are also outlined.
- December 2024: The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab shared its FY24 DC Equitable Food System report. This report shares the outcomes of stakeholder activities within the pillars of Production, Distribution, and Consumption, as well as our process for monitoring and evaluating the changing food landscape in Wards 7 and 8.
Check out the latest publication from the lab in the Journal of Child Nutrition Management, demonstrating the increases in consumption of fruits and vegetables among elementary school children when offered as appetizers and other choices.
The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab was also highlighted in the East of the River News for their Produce Project with Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, as part of the Equitable Food System work to improve access and consumption of fresh produce.
- November 2024: The 8th Annual Healthy Corners Evaluation report was released, detailing strengths and opportunities of the program to support fresh food access in underserved areas of DC.
- October 2024: We welcomed representatives from over 50 organizations to American University for the Resilient Food System Summit on October 9, 2024 — see the Resilient Food System Summit Report. Food system leaders Renee Catacalos and Ellie Bomstein, along with three insightful panelists, Alexander Moore, Christopher Bradshaw, James Tate, shared their personal and professional commitment to the local food system. The discussions fostered meaningful connections and highlighted the importance of collaboration in building a resilient food system in the Washington, DC, area. See videos from the summit playlist.
- September 2024: The two-year HEAL-DC project focused on advancing health literacy for DC residents has wrapped up. We are so grateful to our partners, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Urban Outreach Ministries, and Wesley Theological Seminary. Partnerships with trusted community-based organizations enhances the reach and impact of pop-up health events, so people can FIND, KNOW, and USE health information for lasting empowerment.
- April 2024: The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities lab's $2.8 million grant from Novo Nordisk to address food insecurity in DC and support local Black farmers was featured in a story by The Eagle.
- February 2023: Watch the 3-mintue video on Faithfully Fit's work in the community: "DC pastors are promoting healthy living among congregants."
Health Test
An HSHC team member integrates physical activity and nutrition education at a Joyful Food Market
Students at the Joyful Food Market learn about healthy snacking by making and eating Ants on Log
Partnering with DC Central Kitchen and DC DOH, we seek to evaluate the use of corner stores to increase acces to fresh produce in food deserts in Washington, DC.
Partnering with five faith-based organizations in Ward 7 to manage and prevent obesity.
The HSHC team teaches students at the Joyful Food Market about the MyPlate 5 Food Groups
Increasing access of fresh produce in corner stores in Washington, DC
DC Central Kitchen’s Healthy Corners improve access to fresh produce through a nutrition incentive program.