The Rhode Island Prevention Coalition (PREVCO) is a public-private partnership of health care providers, insurers, voluntary agencies, universities, professional organizations, and others who are dedicated to improving the health of Rhode Island (RI) residents. The first state-wide initiative of PREVCO is to increase physical activity among all residents. The Sli na Slainte (Path to Health) is an innovative environmental change program developed by the Irish Heart Foundation that installs walking paths on existing sidewalks located in close proximity to where people live and work. It is designed to promote physical activity (primarily walking) for leisure and good health among people of all ages. Two paths have been installed and others are in process in RI communities. The evaluation of this environmental change program is ongoing and consists of several components, using qualitative and semi-quantitative evaluation methodologies. The first method is to obtain simple counts of pedestrians walking along the path routes and adjacent areas at selected locations, days, times and seasons. The second component is directed questioning of passers-by about their physical activity habits and recognition of the Path signs. The third evaluation method is a simple physical activity questionnaire administered in worksites adjacent to the paths and by telephone survey of neighborhood residents. The fourth method is the addition of questions about walking paths to ongoing statewide population health surveillance (BRFSS). The last method is process evaluation obtained at every stage of the implementation of the program. The methodology will be discussed in detail and evaluation data will be presented.
Learning Objectives: 1. To discuss the problem of evaluation of environmental change to promote physical activity 2. To describe the evaluation approach for a community-based walking path program 3. To describe outcome data obtained
Keywords: Physical Activity, Outcome Measures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.