Exploring Better Links Between Clinics and Communities to Improve Population Health

In this issue of Preventing Chronic Disease, Kristal et al (1) report on analyses of several standardized questions about health behaviors related to sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and other aspects of diet and physical activity in a Bronx population served by several federally qualified health centers. These analyses are part of a larger project that links clinical and community approaches to measuring and improving diet and physical activity behaviors. Other components of the larger project included electronic health record (EHR)–based referrals to community diabetes prevention resources and enhanced community access to more healthful foods. The larger project illustrates several innovative approaches that health care and community organizations might use for advancing population health through improved delivery of high-quality health care and better links between clinical and community resources.