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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mia D. Boykin, BA, Gwendolyn Flynn, and Joyce Jones Guinyard, DC. REACH 2010 Project, Community Health Councils, Inc., 3731 Stocker Street Suite 201, Los Angeles, CA 90008, 323-295-9372, mia@chc-inc.org

Community organizations, in partnership with public and private entities, have demonstrated the effectiveness of using a mini-grant process to assess nutrition and physical activity (PA) environments, and to close resource gaps. The process was used to support the development of neighborhood level projects, creating opportunities for healthier food options and physical activity alternatives. Through a competitive mini-grant process, funds were made available to community faith-based, social, service and membership organizations, to train and provide oversight to constituents and members wishing to participate in assessments (nutrition, PA and consumer preferences) and/or development/enhancement of nutrition and PA resources. Assessment findings were used to help direct the selection of projects. 21 organizations were granted funds totaling $132,500.00 to conduct assessments which demonstrated that targeted areas were significantly less likely to have important items for living healthier lives; neighborhoods with higher proportions of African Americans had fewer supermarkets, fewer high-quality food options and disproportionate numbers of fast food restaurants; and suggested that African American communities confront health disparities that extend beyond the health delivery system, making compliance with healthy principles harder than for resource rich communities. 29 organizations have been awarded $112,000.00 to assist in developing resources to improve the PA environment. The mini-grant process demonstrated that trained residents are viable researchers and bring a unique prospective to the process. Also, engaged residents are empowered to take action and develop health improvement strategies.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this presentation, participants will be able to

• Discuss benefits of utilizing community residents in assessing neighborhoods for healthy food and activity options;
• Evaluate assessment results in effort to work toward new resources;
• Utilize assessment results to create sustainable resources.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered