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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Kusuma Madamala, PhD, MPH, Medicine and Public Health, American Medical Association, 515 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60610, 312-464-5670, kusuma.madamala@ama-assn.org and Emily Fondahn, School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

The demonstration project took place in a medium-sized metropolitan city and involved the city's department of parks and recreation, chamber of commerce, and local medical society, as well as, three family practice office sites. The focus of the project was to help physicians and office staff connect patients with community resources to promote physical activity. Increasing physician and office staff awareness of and referral to community resources through use of a community fit kit was a specific objective of the project. Medical practice sites participated in in-service training that addressed awareness of local physical activity resources, use of a physical activity prescription, and dissemination of fit kits. Project posters were placed in medical offices to prompt patients to ask for the kit. Fit kit contents included a pedometer, activity calendar, coupons provided by the local Chamber of Commerce businesses (e.g. YMCA, athletic clubs, dance studios, etc.) and city parks and recreation facilities, information regarding public transportation routes and maps to venues. Kit contents were provided in a backpack/workout bag. Patient utilization of kits and physician/office staff awareness and dissemination of kits was assessed. Preliminary findings indicate increased awareness of community resources by physicians and office staff and satisfaction by program participants.

Learning Objectives:

• Illustrate one strategic model to engage physicians and medical office staff in community health improvement
• Identify the process used to bridge local city parks, businesses and physicians to promote physical activity through dissemination of community fit kits by physician offices.

Keywords: Community-Oriented Primary Care, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered