Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107413

Rickie Brawer, MPH, Nancy Brisbon, MD, and James Plumb, MD, MPH. Office to Advance Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1015 Chestnut St, Suite 617, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-955-2396, rickie.brawer@mail.tju.edu

The Haddington Community Health Project, a collaborative in Philadelphia, serves an urban community where 70% of adults are overweight/obese and 33% of children are considered obese. The Collaborative received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to perform an assessment of personal and built environment assets and barriers to physical activity and to improve physical activity among residents. The multi-pronged assessment consisted of focus groups, key informant surveys and analysis of existing data on the Haddington community. Focus groups with youth (using photo documentation), older adults, block captains and adult members of the community were conducted to identify community attitudes towards and barriers to physical activity, existing resources and community preferences for activities that promote an active lifestyle. Key informant interviews provided information about existing program capacity, current utilization, barriers to community participation, and opportunities for program expansion. Existing data from neighborhood community revitalization projects was utilized to explore the impact of the built environment on physical activity including opportunities to reuse abandoned lots/buildings, safety, transportation issues, and walking/biking destination points. Results of the assessment were shared with the Collaborative and community for further dialogue, clarification, and consensus around desired priorities and a Community Action Plan developed.

Learning Objectives: