Blue Economy & Human Health - The blue economy must include human health at its center, as strong coasts are built by strong, well people [1] - The current US food system costs $3 trillion annually due to diet-related diseases, lost productivity, and environmental damage [4] - Poor nutrition alone accounts for tens of billions of dollars in preventable healthcare costs [4] - The health of coastal communities is critical to the success of the Mississippi blue economy [6][11] Challenges & Disconnects - Fisher folk feel left behind by the blue economy, picturing a future that dishonors their traditions [2][3] - Coastal communities face realities like declining catches, floodwaters, and a lack of legacy for future generations [8] - Mississippi is a food-growing and Gulf state, yet it is the hungriest state in the nation, with poor health outcomes and unaffordable local food [12] - Global food systems may negatively impact local food systems [13] Solutions & Opportunities - Protecting the legacy of coastal communities means ensuring they are fit, fueled, and not demonized for global problems [11] - Blue economy resilience needs healthy people, as purpose, inclusion, and social support are critical for human health [15][16] - Inclusive innovation should leverage the knowledge, history, and power of coastal communities [17][18] - Innovations should involve the people they aim to serve as part of the solution, not collateral damage [20]

Core Message - The presentation focuses on creating meaningful change by analyzing systems, discerning unique skills, and identifying entry points for influence [5][6] - It emphasizes that systems are designed by those in power to serve their interests, requiring critical thinking to understand underlying dynamics [14][15] - Collective action and community support are crucial for sustaining efforts and achieving meaningful change [23][35] System Analysis & Influence - Understanding power dynamics within a system is essential for effective influence [8][9] - Policy and law are key factors governing how systems function, impacting access to resources like land and markets [15][16] - Entry points for influence vary across systems, with challenges inherent in each [20][26] Food Systems Example - The food system involves agriculture, production, processing, transport, distribution, access, markets, consumption, and waste management [11] - Agricultural monopolies and power dynamics contribute to high food prices and food unaffordability for poor people [13] - Farmers may grow cash crops for profit rather than nutritious food, leading to malnutrition in agricultural areas [29][30] - The affordability of unhealthy, processed foods over nutritious options is a policy-driven problem impacting health [31][32]