A tax on what is labeled as 'junk food/fast food' is one of the proposals included in the 2017 "Health Bexar Plan' designed to lead to a healthier community, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Dr. Robert Ferrer of the UT Health Science Center, who heads the Health Collaborative, says the tax would, hopefully, lead to less consumption of unhealthy food.
"Price goes up, people consume less," he said. "Given that one of our major problems is diabetes, which comes from obesity, hopefully this would discourage the consumption of unhealthy food."
It would be up to City Council to determine just what constitutes 'junk food.' Many cities, for example, have enacted taxes on sugary soda drinks. The money would be used to make healthier foods less expensive and more available across the city.
The entire health plan, Dr. Ferrer says, is heavy on changing lifestyles to encourage people to take responsibility for their own health care. He says physicians don't make us healthy, we make ourselves healthy.
"We need to have healthy foods available at work and schools, we need to have healthy activities available in people's neighborhoods, where it is safe."
Among the proposals:
Taxpayer funded parenting classes for all income groups
A reduction in the use of electronic devices by children
Road Rage avoidance training in schools
More taxpayer funded summer activities
Better 'gun control'
More opportunities to walk or ride bicycles through more bike and pedestrian lanes on streets and roads
Additional funding for fitness and nutrition education program
Get churches more active in promoting healthy and active lifestyles
Increase mental health access and facilities
Triple the budget of mental health services and mental health outreach