Center for Nutrition & Health Impact

02/23/2026

📣 ICYMI: CNHI Director of Scientific Strategy Dr. Carmen Byker Shanks was featured in The Guardian last month and shared her own perspective and considerations around the recently released U.S. Dietary Guidelines. Want to read more? Check it out at the link below!

It will take years for changes to take effect, but children who eat school meals and seniors served by Meals on Wheels will feel the DGA ripple effects

02/16/2026

We are so excited to continue our impact throughout 2026.

In late 2025, we updated our project webpage which details our ongoing projects and partnerships with organizations and universities working to better understand interventions and opportunities for the public health nutrition landscape.

A recent project highlight includes our transformative evaluation work with the Nutrition Incentive Hub and the recently released GusNIP Year 5 Nutrition Incentive Program Impact Findings report which improves access and affordability of fruits and vegetables across the U.S. Check out all that and more at the link below:

CNHI's Food is Medicine Projects:

CNHI evaluates Food is Medicine programs, including produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals, to improve public health outcomes and nutrition security research.

02/13/2026

🌸 Did you know? February is the national month of cherries! 🍒

There are tons of ways to eat cherries, but we think they are delicious enough to enjoy all by themselves. Another added bonus? They are a heart healthy fruit!

Check out the below article for more information on the health benefits of cherries from their nutritional breakdown to improvements in arthritis and sleep quality.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cherries-benefits?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_wnec0hsnnv

01/28/2026

We’re a Technology Solutions Manager to join our team!

This role will support CNHI’s evaluation and research efforts by leading the design and management of secure digital platforms, data dashboards, and technology systems that enable partners and grantees to collect, analyze, and use data to strengthen food access programs nationwide.

Click the link to learn more and apply!
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=cd6c50b9-502d-48d6-a5f5-f92a0723ff1f&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=570092&lang=en_US&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_pox3d4ff6u

01/26/2026

Protein is one of the most requested food types at food pantries. Yet, providing these options remains a challenge for food banks and pantries across the U.S.

HATCH for Hunger is working to close that gap by sourcing affordable, nutritious proteins like fresh chicken and eggs for food banks and pantries so that families can access the protein they want and need.

In a new partnership, CNHI will collaborate with HATCH to evaluate how this work supports food banks and improves access to high-quality protein for families experiencing food insecurity. Read the full feature below, also available in our 2025 End-of-Year publication. Be sure to stay tuned for more!

Families who visit food pantries consistently report a desire for fresh and healthy proteins. Due to the high cost of these foods, food banks and pantries face ongoing challenges in meeting families’ needs with existing procurement strategies.

01/23/2026

📣 REMINDER! See a survey opportunity below that will help researchers understand how food security is being measured across the U.S.

An interdisciplinary team of public health and nutrition researchers affiliated with the Healthy Eating Research (HER) Strategic Research Collaborative is working to understand how food security is being measured at the state and local levels across the country. We are hoping to learn about any existing data collection or survey efforts in your state.

If you know of any statewide initiatives—past or present—please take a moment to complete this short survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfIzBYsUWOFF8l5o-1sMk-IkWEZE1BYsrdLYA8-YcmNRoZ_A/viewform?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_wh2ayc68cn

We encourage you to share this message with colleagues and collaborators! Your input will help build a clearer picture of how food security is measured nationwide and where important gaps remain.

Please direct any comments and questions to Dr. Kaitlyn Harper (kharpe14@jhu.edu).

01/21/2026

Most Americans do not meet physical activity guidelines. In a new publication, scientists introduced Physical Activity Research Opportunities (PARO), a conceptual framework to advance physical activity research in a cohesive and efficient manner.

The PARO framework synthesizes and organizes research opportunities to help strategically advance physical activity research. Drawing from national reports and expert input, the framework highlights gaps in current evidence and identifies opportunities across translational research phases and social ecological levels.

Read the full study here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12659305/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_8g3jggp4q1

Authors include: E. Balis, Daniel P. Hatfield, Meher Din, Sueny Paloma Lima-dos-Santos, Stott, Amanda Sharfman, and David R. Brown.

01/16/2026

Today, we’re highlighting a publication from November that builds on a decade of research.

This new publication revisits the original 2015 Call to Action to assess progress over the past decade and identify priorities for advancing active living research and practice in rural communities, which face higher rates of physical inactivity and related chronic conditions. Drawing on expertise from researchers and practitioners across the country, the review summarizes advances within the original recommendations and highlights emerging areas, including implementation science, collaboration, and rural-specific surveillance data.

Read the full article in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice: https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/fulltext/9900/rural_active_living__a_call_to_action_2_0,_10_year.614.aspx?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_mrjbzjeqsc

Authors include: Umstattd Meyer MR, Wende ME, Stroope J, Kellstedt DK, Johnson, AM, Gamble A, Edwards MB, Beck AM, Moore JB, Abshire DA, Anderson RE, Aytur SA; Balis L, Davis K, Gabbert KD, Gustat J, John D, Maruca DL, King KA, Needham-Arnold BD, Orzech KM, Pickett AC, Rhoades RR, Riveron N, Slater SJ, Smock CR, Villwock-Witte NM, Wilson K, Baskin ML, Perry CK, Abildso CG.

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Umstattd Meyer MR, Wende ME, Stroope J, Kellstedt DK, Johnson, AM, Gamble A, Edwards MB, Beck AM, Moore JB, Abshire DA, Anderson RE; Aytur SA, Balis LE, Davis K, Gabbert KD, Gustat J, John D, Maruca DL, King KA, Needham-Arnold BD, Orzech KM, Pickett AC, Rhoades RR, Riveron N, Slater SJ, Smock CR, Villwock-Witte NM, Wilson K, Baskin ML, Perry CK, Abildso CG. Rural Active Living: A Call to Action 2.0, 10-Year Review and Recommendations to Advance the Field. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 26 November 2025. DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000002281

01/14/2026

Back in December, Senior Research Scientist Dr. Laura Balis attended the 18th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health. She presented a poster titled “Rapid deductive qualitative analysis in implementation science: a practical training protocol.”

Authors of this work include Dr. Laura Balis, Senior Research Associate Emily Shaw, and Senior Project Manager Shelly Palmer. Did you attend? Drop us a comment!

01/13/2026

Join us for an upcoming webinar! Tuesday, Jan 27 (3–4 PM ET)

National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research will be hosting a new Connect & Explore webinar: “Advancing Physical Activity Research and Practice with the PARO Framework.”

CNHI Senior Research Scientist Dr. Laura Balis, joined by Health Scientist Bramaramba Kowtha, will share how the PARO framework was developed, key findings, and how researchers and practitioners can apply it in real-world settings.

Register now to attend live—or sign up to receive the recording after.
https://fhi360-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3tyoSSjvQui_qogtwzDSSQ?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_jcwkynbooz #/registration

01/12/2026

We just released our 2025 Year in Review and we've got so much to share with you!

We kicked off this year's review with a letter from our CEO, Dr. Amy Yaroch, who shared strategic insights into the challenges and opportunities that guided the Center's movement through 2025. We also highlighted a few key projects from both new and existing partnerships that we are excited to harness in the new year.

Click the link below to dive in!
https://www.centerfornutrition.org/newsroom/2026/1/9/2025-year-end-review?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_ppumz0zgs6

12/22/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact!

We wish you a great holiday season and extend a deep gratitude to the funders, partners, and grantees that make our work and impact possible.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!