Cook County (IL) Profile

Team Profile Summary

Food justice is the policy reform focus for the Cook County Place Matters team. Our vision of food justice is of a food system where "nobody gets the leftovers" and everyone has equitable, easy access to quality, affordable, nutritious and varied foods. At the core of the Cook County effort is a belief that in order to reverse the effects of structural racism and injustice, low income communities of color need the capacity to set their own priorities that improve overall quality of life.

Team Profile Details

Problem Statement

There is documented disparity in the health outcomes and high mortality for African-American women in the Chicago area. Health outcomes are directly impacted by access to markets to fast food outlets. This environment termed “Food Deserts” negatively impacts communities of low incomes and race resulting in premature mortality, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer deaths to obesity and hypertension.

Team Objectives and Actions

• Objective 1: To develop a comprehensive system of care management that addresses the fragmentation of health and social services and resources for African American women.
• Objective 2: To increase the survival rate of African American women diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Objective 3: To address the impact of Food Deserts on health disparities in South Suburban Cook County.
• Objective 4: To develop fund raising and grant development strategies to support activities for breast cancer and Food Desert activities.

For more information and to become involved, please contact:

Team Lead: Terri Johnson
Email: tjohnson@hullhouse.org
Phone: (312) 235-5391