The Rhode Island Prevention Coalition (PREVCO) is a public-private partnership comprised of health care providers, insurers, voluntary agencies, universities, professional organizations, and others who are dedicated to improving the health of Rhode Island residents. The first state-wide initiative of PREVCO is to increase physical activity among all residents. This initiative is comprised of several components. The first is a grants program to community organizations to promote physical activity through programs targeting those at the highest risk for physical inactivity, environmental changes to increase physical activity, and for communications efforts. The second aspect of the PREVCO effort is communications activities such as publishing a physical activity "Report Card", "Walk to Waterplace Park", "Walk Your Children to School Day", radio and television appearances, newspaper articles, and other activities. The third arm of the initiative is the Sli na Slainte(Path to Health) program, 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 work and live. Fourth, the member organizations of PREVCO address the problem of physical inactivity as part of their own organizational activities. Advocacy for the improved health of state residents, particularly as related to physical activity, is a fifth component of this comprehensive initiative. The provision of information and self-help materials about physical activity to the public and community groups forms the final leg of the physical activity initiative. Details about the processes and outcomes of this initiative will be presented and discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1. To describe a community-based physical activity initiative 2. To discuss the activation of public and private organizations in a collaborative public health initiative. 3.To articulate the procedures for process evaluation of a community based physical activity
Keywords: Physical Activity, Community Collaboration
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.