• Availability of fresh produce/farmers markets.
  
• Creating safe play areas in local communities.
  
• Nutritional counseling reimbursement.
  
• High-quality medical care [a culturally and linguistically competent team, sufficient visit time and reimbursement].

Key Collaborations to enrich and sustain the Network's Policy/Advocacy efforts include -

• Continuing to network with members of the convening.
  
• Partnering with community organizations and advocacy organizations on legislative issues.
  
• Partnering with the Public Health Institute's nutrition collaboratives and Food Security groups.
  
• The California Medical Association.
  
• California School Superintendent. The Network can be a resource to educate them on chronic diseases caused by unhealthy eating.

• Get email addresses and contact information for all convening attendees in order to circulate information on health disparities and opportunities for partnership with the Network.
  
• Put together a database or directory of what are those organizations attending the convening are doing regarding policy/advocacy.
  
• Capture this policy information electronically and create a clearinghouse of policy statements related to addressing health disparities in California.
  
• Educate this group on what is occurring related to health disparities and policy and then establish a mechanism to share this.
  
• Attend community meetings. The clout of ethnic physicians is enormously powerful.
  

Questions & Answers
At the end of each Breakout Group presentation, the large group was able to ask questions about each group's report.

Prevention Breakout Group
One of the areas of greatest interest in the area of prevention was the Prevention Investment Fund. Audience members asked group members to elaborate on the investment fund.

Sue Foerster, Chief, California Department of Health Services Cancer Prevention & Prevention Section, explained that the fund would provide a pool or pot of money to cover different aspects of preventive health care that are not now covered benefits by either commercial or government sponsored health plans. The question was raised as to the source for these funds. It was indicated that funds would come from payors - those who purchase health insurance. It was felt that health insurers and some large businesses are beginning to see the high cost of obesity and this could provide the impetus to start such a fund.

The large group asked the Prevention Breakout Group about whether there was a discussion of cultural competency and definition of it.

Members of the breakout group indicated that they did not specifically address this issue, but felt it is a well understood and an appreciated concern. The follow up question raised was whether this should be discussed. It was felt that cultural competency related to prevention of diabetes should be discussed within each community where disparities exist.

In closing, it was noted that most of the breakout group's time was focused on individual behavior change strategies and as we complete the diabetes action plan, we also need to look at environmental issues.