Translation and Diffusion of Fit and Strong!: Progress to Date

The translation of evidence-based programs for older adults is a major public health priority. Fit and Strong! is an award winning evidence-based, multi-component exercise/behavior change program for older adults with osteoarthritis that is being diffused throughout the United States. Currently, two collaborative efforts are underway to translate and diffuse Fit and Strong!. The first effort is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and supports dissemination of the program in two states (1R18DP001140). Fit and Strong! is being diffused in two areas on aging in Illinois and two areas on aging in North Carolina with a minimum of 30 providers, involving the enrollment of 1,200 new participants. The Fit and Strong! team is also partnering with the National Arthritis Foundation (NAF) to translate and diffuse the program within four chapters: Northern and Southern New England, Northern California, Michigan, and Western Missouri/ Kansas. The goal of this partnership is to have 24 new providers (6 per state) adopt the program, train and evaluate the implementation of the program by 24 new instructors (6 per state) and enroll an additional 480 persons in the program. As a result of these efforts, we now offer the program in 7 states at 26 sites with 54 trained instructors and 292 participants. Pre-post outcomes and program evaluations are currently being collected. Factors which facilitate and impede program adoption, fidelity and adaptation and sustainability will be discussed. Progress to date in translating/ diffusing the program will be described.