Public health departments and chronic disease prevention: Changes in practice

Purpose: To share follow-up findings of a survey conducted in health departments in California in 2010 to document changes in local public health department practices, capacity, and resources for changing nutrition and physical activity environments for obesity and chronic disease prevention and how these changes address the social determinants of health.Methods: At baseline and endpoint, the researchers surveyed key public health department personnel representing all 61 health departments in California using a web-based survey tool. The survey addressed the following domains: public health department priorities, organizational structure, funding and workforce capacity; internal organizational nutrition and physical activity policies; and strategies and opportunities for public health department engagement in changing nutrition and physical activity environments through data collection and monitoring, collaboration, and policy change and advocacy. Analysis was conducted on the individual respondent and public health department levels and stratified by Metropolitan Statistical Area and foundation-funded versus not foundation-funded. Findings: The findings will make an important contribution to shaping public health policy and practice in California and other states. This session will report on how public health departments are taking on new roles in addressing the underlying causes of obesity and chronic disease through policy change, community engagement, and internal capacity building for chronic disease prevention.