The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43639

Linda A. Faust, MPA¹, Rajika E. Reed, MPH¹, Lynn Blanchard, MPH, PhD², Dale A. Breyfogle¹, and Jill Baroni, MPH³. (1) Department of Community Health and Health Studies, Lehigh Valley Hospital, 17th and Chew St, Box 7017, Allentown, PA 18105-7017, (2) Carolina Center for Public Service, University of North Carolina, Bank of America Center, Suite 201, 137 E. Franklin St., Campus Box 3142, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, (3) MA Prevention Center, 552 Massachusettes Avenue, Suite 203, Cambridge, MA 02139

Introduction/Background: Since 1997, Measurable Enhancement of the Status of Health (MESH) Community Initiatives of Lehigh Valley Hospital has worked in partnership with a small rural community to improve health through specific health-related interventions and general community-building activities. One method of engaging residents in the process is the series of 13 community discussion suppers planned and implemented in partnership with the community.

Methods: Neighbor to Neighbor: Community Discussion Suppers are held at a various locations within the community and catered by local vendors. Free certified child care is available during the educational presentation. Tickets are modestly priced, offered as "rewards" for participation in other sponsored health improvement activities and/or offered free to those unable to afford them. The agenda includes a warm up activity (topical interactive "BINGO"), community health speaker or presentation, group activity on next steps, program evaluation and closing announcements.

Results: Supper topics have included assessment results (qualitative and quantitative), youth issues, community center development, connections across generations, cardiovascular health, physical activity, youth tobacco prevention and cessation, community exchange, home safety, stress, asset building, volunteerism and social capital. The design of the group activity incorporates thoughtful determination of progressive program development. For example, presentation of health behavior data led to a "Lifting the Smoke Screen" event and the "HEARTy Health" supper, which in turn led to both a healthy heart cooking demonstration and the launch of a successful walking club.

Conclusion: MESH continues to support community residents in developing community capacity in their effort to build a healthier community.

Learning Objectives: The objectives of this session are to

• Define the concept and benefits of community discussion suppers.
• Describe how one community is using the success of the suppers and other events to advance their work to improve community health to the next level.

Keywords: Community Participation, Public Health Education and Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.