Health screening process evaluation results from clevelanders in motion REACH initiative

Clevelanders in Motion is a coalition-based program of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland funded through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) initiative. The focus of the Clevelanders in Motion project is to provide “body age” screenings, individual behavioral counseling, and access to physical activity including community-based programming to address health disparities in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Since its inception in 2007, over 600 people have participated at 8 locations throughout the city of Cleveland. To assess client satisfaction with the screening process, a 4-page survey was created and given to all. Of the 602 participants, 222, or 37%, completed the post-screening survey. The respondents were predominately female (77%), African American (81%) and 65 years of age and older (32%). Three fourths (75%) of respondents indicated they were very confident in being able to personally change their own health behaviors and were very satisfied with the length of time the screening took (75%). The interactions with the screening staff were also very positive as reflected by a 95% satisfaction rating (very satisfied). Most respondents found out about the program through promotion at the city's free recreation centers (28%), through friends (28%), and by other means (28%) such as community events where information was posted. Overall, these findings suggest that the Clevelanders in Motion Reach Initiative has been well received by members of the community. The initiative has shown promise in improving participant self-efficacy in changing their personal health behaviors and participation in other community physical activity programs.