A Toolkit for Creating Healthy Hospital Environments: Making Healthier Food, Beverage, and Physical Activity Choices

Nationwide, there were more than 5,700 hospitals registered with the American Hospital Association in 2012, with more than 37 million inpatient admissions, 118 million emergency department visits, and 481 million outpatient visits. Hospitals also employ more than 6.3 million full- and part-time salary and wage workers. In light of the growing burden of preventable chronic diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, hospital leadership can promote the health of employees, patients, and communities by considering policies and practices that ensure that the healthier choice is the easier choice. This tool kit provides guidance to hospital nutritionists, human resources and employee health staff, and others who wish to promote and support healthy food, beverage, and physical activity options in hospitals.