Healthy Communities

In the Healthy Communities area, our evaluation, research, and strategic planning services help inform a client’s practices and policies that impact community resiliency and health. Our work is essential in supporting appropriate infrastructure, vibrant communities, viable regional food systems, and a healthier population.

The work is led by Dr. Nancy McCrohan, and together our team brings inter-disciplinary expertise across:

Food systems
Housing
Public health
Community economic development
Workforce development
And others

For more information, you can reach Dr. McCrohan at NMcCrohan@publicpolicy.com.

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Featured Work in this Policy Area

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Topic Area: Food and Nutition, Public Health Client Type: Foundation, Nonprofit Service Type: Literature Review Document Type: Literature Review Partner(s): Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and 1837 PartnersDate: April, 2025Tags: Child Care, Food Access, Food Assistance, Food Policy, Food Security, Health, Inequality

Upper Peninsula Food As Medicine: Final Pilot Results Summary

Topic Area: Food and Nutition Client Type: Nonprofit Service Type: Research Document Type: Summary Partner(s): Upper Peninsula Commission for Area ProgressTags: Food Access, Food as Medicine, Food Assistance, Food Policy, Food Security, Interviews, Survey

Decision Guide: Designing a “Food Is Medicine” Program To Pilot In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Topic Area: Food and Nutition Client Type: Nonprofit Service Type: Consulting Document Type: Guide Partner(s): Feeding America West MichiganDate: November, 2023Tags: Food Access, Food as Medicine, Food Assistance, Food Policy, Food Security, Health, Interviews, Survey

Food on a table

Food As Medicine: Policy Options to Support Food Security, Improve Health, and Lower Costs in Michigan

Topic Area: Food and Nutition Service Type: Consulting Document Type: Brief Date: January, 2022Tags: Food as Medicine, Food Policy, Medicaid, Medicare

Saginaw Food Access Study

Topic Area: Food and Nutition Client Type: Local Government Service Type: Landscape Scan, Research Document Type: Presentation, Report, Summary Partner(s): City of Saginaw, GuidehouseDate: January, 2024Tags: Food Access, Food Assistance, Food Policy, Food Security, Government, Landscape Scan, Survey

People in a group smiling and talking

Southeastern Michigan Environmental Scan

Topic Area: Food and Nutition, Housing and Homelessness, K-12 Education, Workforce Client Type: Nonprofit Service Type: Landscape Scan Document Type: Brief Partner(s): United Way for Southeastern MichiganDate: May, 2023Tags: CIE, Food Assistance, Health, Interviews, Landscape Scan, Roundtables, Technology

Year 1 Results Summary: Upper Peninsula Food As Medicine

Topic Area: Food and Nutition Client Type: Nonprofit Service Type: Program Evaluation Document Type: Summary Partner(s): Upper Peninsula Commission for Area ProgressDate: October, 2023Tags: Food Access, Food as Medicine, Food Assistance, Food Policy, Food Security, Health, Interviews, Outcome Evaluation, Process Evaluation, Survey

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