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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Beth Marks, RN, PhD, Jasmina Sisirak, MPH, and Tamar Heller, PhD. Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608, 312-413-4097, bmarks1@uic.edu

This study examines the effectiveness of a Train-the-Trainer intervention for implementing a community-based health promotion program to improve health and well-being of adults with I/DD. While data support the benefits of physical activity and nutrition programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in laboratory/University-based settings, little research is available on ways to enhance health status, increase physical activity, and improve food choices in settings in which people work and live. Agency staff in community-based agencies (CBAs) were given 8 hours of training to start and implement a 12-week physical activity and health education program personalized to the needs of their clients' with I/DD. Participants with I/DD, including 44 adults with ages 30 years and older (27 females, 17 males, M age = 46 years) were randomized into an intervention (n = 27) or control group (n = 17). The intervention group participated in a 12-week, 3 days per week, exercise and health education program. Assessments were conducted immediately before and after the program. Compared to controls, intervention group showed significant changes in psychosocial health status, including more positive perceptions toward their general health status, less perceived pain, and less barriers to exercise. Although not significant, intervention group participants had more positive attitudes toward exercise and less depression following the 12-week program. Results suggest the efficacy of a train-the-trainer program for staff in CBAs to implement a health promotion program aimed at teaching and supporting adults with I/DD to be more physically active and improve their psychosocial health status.

Learning Objectives:

• • Identify the need to educate agency staff in community-based agencies (CBAs) to implement health promotion programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
• • Discuss the train-the-trainer intervention program for staff and adults with I/DD in CBAs.
• • Evaluate the impact of a train-the-trainer program on health and well-being of adults with I/DD.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Health Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No