Christina E. Hecht Ph.D.

UC ANR Nutrition Policy Institute Academic Coordinator

Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI)
1111 Franklin Street
11th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607
ceahecht@ucanr.edu

http://npi.ucanr.edu/About_Us/NPI_Staff/

Education

Ph.D. Population Dynamics, Johns Hopkins. 1991

B.A. Human Biology, Stanford University. 1978

Specialty

Water; Policy; Child Nutrition Programs

Bibliography

Peer Reviewed

Garvey, KA; Edwards, MA; Blacker, LS; Hecht, CE; Parks, JL; Patel, AI. (2023). A Comprehensive Examination of the Contaminants in Drinking Water in Public Schools in California, 2017-2022. Public Health Reports. 333549231192471. Sep 4.
Sohlberg, TM; Higuchi, EC; Ordonez, VM; Escobar, GV; De La Rosa, A; Islas, G; Castro, C; Hecht, K; Hecht, CE; Bruce, JS; Patel, AI. (2023). Parent Perception of School Meals in the San Joaquin Valley during COVID-19: A Photovoice Project. Nutrients. 15:5, 1087. 22 February.
Park, S; Onufrak, S; Cradock, A; Patel, A; Hecht, C; Blanck, HM (2023). Perceptions of water safety and tap water taste and their associations with beverage intake among U.S. adults. Am J Health Promot. 0:0, 1-13.
Kahn, CB; John, B; Shin, SS; Whitman, R; Yazzie, AS; Goldtooth-Halwood, R; Hecht, K; Hecht, C; Vollmer, L; Egge, M; Nelson, N; Bitah, K; George, C. (2023). Teacher and Caregiver Perspectives on Water Is K’é: An Early Child Education Program to Promote Healthy Beverages among Navajo Children. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 20:17, 6696. 31 August.
Au, LE; Whaley, SE; Hecht, CA; Tsai, MM; Anderson, CE; Chaney, AM; Vital, NA; Martinez, CE; Ritchie, LD. (2022). A Qualitative Examination of California WIC Participants’ and Local Agency Directors’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Park, S; Onufrak, S; Cradock, A; Hecht, C; Patel, A; Chevinsky, J; Blanck, H (2022). Factors Related to Water Filter Use for Drinking Tap Water at Home and Its Association with Consuming Plain Water and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among US Adults. Current Developments in Nutrition. 36:5, 1472.
Cohen, JF; Polacsek, M; Hecht, CE; Hecht, K; Read, M; Olarte, DA; Patel, AI; Schwartz, MB; Turner, L; Zuercher, M; Gosliner, W; Ritchie, LD. (2022). Implementation of Universal School Meals during COVID-19 and beyond: Challenges and Benefits for School Meals Programs in Maine. Nutrients. 14:19.
Cradock, AL; Barrett, JL; Poole, MK; Flax, CN; Vollmer, L; Hecht, C. (2022). Lead Concentrations in US School Drinking Water: Testing Programs, Prevalence, and Policy Opportunities, 2016-2018. American Journal of Public Health. 122:57, S679-S689.
Zuercher, MD; Cohen, JFW; Hecht, CE; Hecht, K; Ritchie, LD; Gosliner, W. (2022). Providing School Meals to All Students Free of Charge During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Challenges and Benefits Reported by School Foodservice Professionals in California. Nutrients. 14:18.
Jowell, AH; Bruce, JS; Escobar, GV; Ordonez, VM; Hecht, CA; Patel, AI. (2021). Mitigating Childhood Food Insecurity during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of how School Districts in California’s San Joaquin Valley Responded to Growing Needs. Public Health Nutrition. 1-11.
Lee, DL; Alkon, A; Plank, K; Neelon, M; Rios, LKD; Hecht, CE; Thompson, HR; Ritchie, LD. (2021). Self-Paced Online Training on Healthy Beverage Policy for Child Care Providers. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 53:6, 457-470. 1 June.
Grummon, AH; Sokol, RL; Goodman, D; Hecht, CA; Salvia, M; Musicus, AA; Patel, AI. (2021). Storybooks About Healthy Beverage Consumption: Effects in an Online Randomized Experiment With Parents. Am J Prev Med. 62:2, 183-192.
Sharma, P; Altman, EA; Hampton, KE; Moreno, GD; Hecht, CA; Patel, AI. (2021). Strength and Comprehensiveness of Drinking Water Language in California School District Wellness Policies. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 53:10, 870-879. 22 June.
Umunna, IL; Blacker, LS; Hecht, CE; Edwards, MA; Altman, EA; Patel, AI (2021). Water Safety in California Public Schools Following Implementation of School Drinking Water Policies. Prev Chron Dis. 18, 200366.
Park, S; Onufrak, S; Cradock, A; Patel, A; Hecht, C; Merlo, C; Blanck, HM. (2020). Correlates of infrequent plain water intake among US high school students: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2017. Am J Health Promt. 34:5, 549-554. Published online first on March 18, 2020.
Patel, A.I.; Podrabsky, M.; Hecht, A.A.; Morris, S.; Yovanovich, S.; Walkinshaw, L.P.; Ritchie, L; and Hecht, C. (2020). Development and Validation of a Photo‐Evidence Tool to Examine Characteristics of Effective Drinking Water Access in Schools. J School Health. 90, 271-277.
Altman, Emily; Lee, Kevin; Hecht, Christina; Hampton, Karla; Moreno, Gala; Patel, Anisha (2020). Drinking water access in California schools: Room for improvement following implementation of school water policies. Preventive Medicine Reports. 19. September.
Patel, AI; Hecht, CE; Cradock, A; Edwards, MA; Ritchie, LD. (2020). Drinking Water in the United States: Implications of Water Safety, Access and Consumption. Annual Review of Nutrition. Volume 40, pages 345-373. September.
Cooper, A; Altman, E; Hecht, C; Bruce, J; Patel, A. (2020). Stories of success: A qualitative examination of contributors to excellence in school drinking water access. Public Health Nutrition. 1-10.
Patel, AI; Hecht, AA; Hampton, KE; Hecht, C; Buck, S (2019). Agua4All: Providing Safe Drinking Water in Rural California Communities. Prev Chronic Dis. 16, E151. 2019 Nov 14.
Walkinshaw, LP; Hecht, C; Patel, A; Podrabsky, M. (2019). Training high school student “citizen scientists” to document school water access: a feasibility study. Journal of School Health. 89, 653-661. 6/3/19. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/josh.12790
Grummon, Anna H; Sokol, Rebekah; Hecht, Christina A; Patel, Anisha I (2018). Measuring beverage consumption in US children and adolescents: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews.
Hook, EB; Carothers, AD; Hecht, CA (1999). Elevated maternal age-specific rates of Down syndrome liveborn offspring of women of Mexican and Central American origin in California. Prenatal Diagnosis. 19:3, 245-51.
Carothers, AD; Hecht, CA; Hook, EB (1999). International variation in reported live-birth prevalence rates of Down syndrome, adjusted for maternal age. J Med Genet. 36:5, 386-93.
Hecht, CA; Hook, EB (1996). Rates of Down syndrome at live-birth by one-year maternal age intervals in studies with apparent close to complete ascertainment in populations of European origin: A proposed revised rate schedule for use in genetic and prenatal screening. Am Jour Med Genet. 62:4, 376-85.
Hecht, CA; Hook, EB (1994). The imprecision in rates of Down syndrome by 1-year maternal age intervals: a critical analysis of rates used in biochemical screening. Prenatal Diagnosis. 14:8, 729-38.

Non-Peer Reviewed

Research Consortium on Beverages and Health, University of California. (2023). Factsheet: University Beverage Pouring Rights Contracts – And Alternatives. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/386360.pdf
De la Rosa, A; Pedroza-Tobias, A; Sharma, A; Hecht, K; Islas, G; Patel, AI; Hecht, C. (2023). Infographic: ¡Alza tu Voz! Un caso real de abogacía para las comidas escolares. September. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b7b48975417fc81f5ea0402/t/6519e78a4a8fcc67ed9d431e/1696196493469/Alza+Tu+Voz.pdf
Hecht, C; Pedroza-Tobias, A; Hecht, K; Sharma, A; Castro, C; Islas, V; Patel, AI. (2023). Infographic: ¿Qué hay en el Menú de la Escuela? September. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b7b48975417fc81f5ea0402/t/6519e6dd6ce64165830576d6/1696196320523/Que+Hay+en+el+Menu+de+la+Escuela.pdf
Hecht, C; Pedroza-Tobias, A; Hecht, K; Sharma, A; Castro, C; Islas, V; Patel, AI. (2023). Infographic: ¿Qué se Necesita para Preparar las Comidas Escolares? September. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b7b48975417fc81f5ea0402/t/6519e813c529c759f1fcee66/1696196630266/Que+Se+Necesita+Para+Perparar+las+Comidas+Escolares%3F.pdf
De la Rosa, A; Pedroza-Tobias, A; Sharma, A; Hecht, K; Islas, G; Patel, AI; Hecht, C. (2023). Infographic: Make Your Voice Heard! A real life case of school meal advocacy. September. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b7b48975417fc81f5ea0402/t/6519dd97b7c9895d1138316c/1696193986027/Make+Your+Voice+Heard%21
Hecht, C; Pedroza-Tobias, A; Hecht, K; Sharma, A; Castro, C; Islas, V; Patel, AI. (2023). Infographic: What Goes into Making School Meals? September. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b7b48975417fc81f5ea0402/t/6519de848027805b376e6e32/1696194207463/What+Goes+Into+Making+School+Meals%3F
Hecht, C; Pedroza-Tobias, A; Hecht, K; Sharma, A; Castro, C; Islas, V; Patel, AI. (2023). Infographic: What’s On the Menu? School meals support students' health and learning. September. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b7b48975417fc81f5ea0402/t/6519dcb8e915a341f068ddab/1696194051338/What%27s+On+the+Menu%3F
Orta-Aleman, D; Chelius, C; Bacon, K; Hecht, C; Hecht, K; Zuercher, M; Ritchie, L; Gosliner, W. (2023). Research Brief: School Meals for All - Farm Fresh Food. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. June. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/385523.pdf
Hecht, C; Hecht, K; Zuercher, M; Ritchie, L; Gosliner, W. (2023). Research Brief: School Meals for All in California: Parents Value School Meals for All and Offer Suggestions to Strengthen Meal Programs. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. 9 May. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/384115.pdf
Hecht, C; Bacon, K; Chapman, L; Chelius, C; Olarte, D; Orta-Aleman, D; Zuercher, M; Hecht, K; Ritchie, L; Cohen, JFW; Gosliner, W. (2023). Research Brief: School Meals for All in California: Time to Eat Can Be a Barrier to Full Participation. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. 19 April. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/383408.pdf
Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California (2023). Research Brief: The Many Benefits of School Meals for All. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/387858.pdf
Lee, DL; Hecht, C; Ritchie, LD; Marshall, S K-D; Homel Vitale, E. (2022). Benefits and Challenges of CACFP Participation for Independent Child Care Centers and Sponsors: Research Report for the California Department of Social Services. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/376177.pdf
Research Consortium on Beverages and Health, University of California. (2022). Fact Sheet: 7 Reasons to Skip Sugary Drinks. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/377583.pdf
Research Consortium on Beverages and Health, University of California. (2022). Fact Sheet: How Four Cities in California are Using Sugary Drink Tax Revenue. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/377649.pdf
Research Consortium on Beverages and Health, University of California. (2022). Fact Sheet: Sugary Drinks and COVID. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/377584.pdf
Research Consortium on Beverages and Health, University of California. (2022). Fact Sheet: The Health Harms of Sugary Drinks. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/377582.pdf
Research Consortium on Beverages and Health, University of California. (2022). Fact Sheet: The Heavy Environmental Impact of Sugary Drinks. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/377585.pdf
Research Consortium on Beverages and Health, University of California. (2022). Fact Sheet: What are Sugary Drinks? https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/377648.pdf
Cradock, A; Hecht, C; Merlo, C; Patel, A. (2022). Infographic: Turn On the Tap! School Drinking Water Access During COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. https://nopren.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra5936/f/Turn%20On%20the%20Tap!%20School%20drinking%20water%20access%20during%20COVID-19%20pandemic%20and%20beyond%20(8).pdf
Lee, DL; Hecht, C; Homel Vitale, E; Marshall, S K-D; Ritchie, LD. (2022). Research Brief: Child and Adult Care Food Program Participation by Independent Childcare Centers and Their Sponsors: Benefits and Challenges. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/374766.pdf
Hecht, C; Zuercher, M; Hecht, K; Gosliner, W; Ritchie, L. (2022). Research Brief: School Meals for All in California: Benefits and Challenges During COVID and Beyond as Reported by School Food Services. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/371654.pdf
Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California; Hospital, Brigham and Women's (2022). Research brief: Water is K’é: A Community-Based Intervention to Increase Healthy Beverage Consumption by Navajo Preschool Children. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/379398.pdf
LoPresto, L; Hecht, CA. (2021). Effective Access to Drinking Water in Schools: What is it and why does it matter? April 2021. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/348566.pdf
Hecht, CA; Whelton, A. (2021). Info Sheet: Tap Water Safety When Reopening Buildings After COVID-19 Shutdowns. May 2021. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/349331.pdf
Ritchie, L; Hecht, C; Au, L; Vital, N; Tsai, M; Hecht, K; Anderson, C; Martinez, C; Meza, M; Whaley, S. (2021). Informing the Future of WIC: Lessons Learned during COVID-19 from California Agency Directors. 9 June 2021. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/352390.pdf
Ritchie, L; Hecht, C; Au, L; Vital, N; Strochlic, R; Tsai, M; Hecht, K; Olague, C; Rios, A; Anderson, C; Martinez, C; Meza, M; Whaley, S (2021). Informing the Future of WIC: Lessons Learned during COVID-19 from California WIC Participants. 9 June 2021. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/352389.pdf
Hecht, Christina (2021). Policy Brief: Parent Voices: Local Foods for School Meals. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/349384.pdf
Hecht, K; Hecht, C; Au, L; Vital, N; Strochlic, R; Tsai, M; Ritchie, L; Anderson, C; Martinez, C; Meza, M; Whaley, S (2021). Policy Brief: Lessons Learned: Examining WIC During COVID-19 for Policy and Program Recommendations Going Forward. 9 June 2021. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/352391.pdf
Hecht, Christina (2021). Policy Brief: Parent Voices: School Meals for All; Good for Kids - Good for Communities. May 14. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/349378.pdf
Hecht, Christina (2021). Policy Brief: Parent Voices: Summer EBT; Good for Kids - Good for Communities. May 14. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/349379.pdf
Hecht, Christina (2021). Policy Brief: School Meals: Kids Are Sweeter with Less Sugar. April 22. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/348508.pdf
Ritchie, L; Vital, N; Au, L; Gosliner, WA; Meza, M; Anderson, CE; Strochlic, R; Plank, K; Tsai, M; Martinez, CE; Olague, C; Rios, A; Lee, DLL; Hecht, CE; Whaley, SE (2021). Research Brief: WIC Especially Critical during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Voices of Participants in Los Angeles County. January. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/342602.pdf
UC ANR, Nutrition Policy Institute; Harvard, TH Chan School of Public Health; Tech, Virginia; Stanford Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. (2021). Research Brief: School Drinking Water Safety. 2 July. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/354287.pdf
Hecht, Christina (2021). School Meals for All - An idea whose time has come. Research to Action Newsbrief of Nutrition Policy Institute. 5:2. https://mailchi.mp/a535d256524c/uc-npi-news-brief-vol-5-no-19221234
Hecht, CA; Patel, AI (2020). Factsheet: Back-to-School: We'll Keep Feeding Those Kids! September 9. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/332042.pdf
Hecht, CA; Patel, AI; Lessard, D. (2020). Factsheet: Boosting School Meal Participation — Tips from Districts. October 20. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/338072.pdf
Hecht, CA; Patel, AI (2020). Factsheet: Calling all Districts! USDA Summer Meals Can Keep Kids Healthy (California version). June 20. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/327331.pdf
Hecht, CA; Patel, AI (2020). Factsheet: Calling all Districts! USDA Summer Meals Can Keep Kids Healthy (National version). June 20. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/328488.pdf
Hecht, CE; Vollmer, LY (2020). Factsheet: Child Care Drinking Water Safety. February 20. https://45daf280-3359-4d8c-9870-5c5f730d8448.filesusr.com/ugd/9c073b_7c66260c25784014ab41a3b7cfdb2028.pdf
Hecht, CA; Vollmer, LY (2020). Factsheet: Healthy Hydration: Ensuring access to safe water in schools. March. https://9c073bb6-f7ef-48b6-ad05-b37094ec4e4f.usrfiles.com/ugd/9c073b_1e37b4417e7641abb4da3473e0b0154d.pdf
Hecht, CA; Patel, AI (2020). Factsheet: Kids’ Hunger Doesn’t Take a Spring Break. While closed for COVID-19, California districts can serve meals over spring break. April 7. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/322985.pdf
Hecht, CA; Patel, AI. (2020). Factsheet: Kids’ Hunger Doesn’t Take a Spring Break. While closed for COVID-19, school districts can serve meals over spring break. National version. April 2. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/323167.pdf
Hecht, CA; Reich, A. (2020). Infographic: Increasing Drinking Water Availability in Schools during COVID-19 and Beyond. October 15. https://api.healthiergeneration.org/resource/851
Hecht, CA (2020). School drinking water safety and access during COVID-19. California School Boards Association. November 20. http://blog.csba.org/water-safety-covid/
Hecht, CA (2020). School Meals: More important this summer than ever. California School Boards Association. June 5. http://blog.csba.org/summer-meals2020/
Hecht, CA (2020). Supporting school meals during COVID-19 and beyond. California School Board Association. November 27. https://publications.csba.org/issue/winter-2020/
Hecht, C. (2020). Supporting school meals during COVID-19 and beyond. California Schools. Winter. https://publications.csba.org/issue/winter-2020/supporting-school-meals-during-covid-19-and-beyond/
Hecht, CA; Vollmer, LY; Olague, C. (2019). Beba Aqua. July. https://45daf280-3359-4d8c-9870-5c5f730d8448.filesusr.com/ugd/9c073b_d4358b1bdbdc4dc4bd068cc991b08505.pdf
Hecht, CA; Vollmer, LY (2019). Drink Water. July. https://45daf280-3359-4d8c-9870-5c5f730d8448.filesusr.com/ugd/9c073b_5a20c1a7aa9941d5bcf62c126154b0c6.pdf
Hecht, CA; Vollmer, LY (2019). Policy Brief: Are Sugar-Sweetened Beverages a Problem? September. https://ucanr.edu/sites/NewNutritionPolicyInstitute/files/318976.pdf
Hecht, CA; Vollmer, LY. (2019). Policy Brief: Infant and Toddler Beverage Recommendations for the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. June. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/ee8930_e33a661f5d514d97bfb4c6d93798d661.pdf
Hecht, C. (2019). Rara Avis: My Childhood at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Member Magazine for the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.C. Dorn. https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/090119/j-thomas-august-1927-2019
Cradock, AL; Hecht, CA; Poole, MK; Vollmer, LY; Flax, CN; Barrett, JL (2019). State approaches to testing school drinking water for lead in the United States. Chan School of Public Health; 1/9/19. https:// www.hsph.harvard.edu/prc/projects/ school-research/early-adopters
Cradock, AL; Poole, MK; Vollmer, LY; Barrett, JL; Flax, CN; Hecht, CA (2019). State Policies on Testing Drinking Water for Lead in U.S. Schools. Research Brief. Durham, NC, Healthy Eating Research. January. https://healthyeatingresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/HER-Brief_State-Policies-on-Testing-Drinking-Water-for-Lead-in-U.S.-Schools-1.pdf
Hecht, Christina (2018). Green Schools National Network Newsletter. Safe Water in Schools: What do we know? What can we do? https://greenschoolsnationalnetwork.org/safe-water-in-schools-what-do-we-know-what-can-we-do/
Hecht, CA; Vollmer, LY (2017). Drinking Water Safety in Schools. September 1. https://45daf280-3359-4d8c-9870-5c5f730d8448.filesusr.com/ugd/9c073b_8ee98e40cd384c2bbf0db29b369c5c92.pdf
Hecht, CA; Vollmer, LY; Patel, AI (2017). Effective Access to Water in Schools. September 1. https://45daf280-3359-4d8c-9870-5c5f730d8448.filesusr.com/ugd/ee8930_94a3be8571214de1aeb83b8f2193b40e.pdf
Hecht, CA; Vollmer, LY (2017). Healthy Hydration. September. https://45daf280-3359-4d8c-9870-5c5f730d8448.filesusr.com/ugd/ee8930_6cb75896500e4f2e829f3ea770dcdd08.pdf

ANR Workgroup Associations

Native American Community Partnerships - Member

Return to Academic Directory