Evaluation Challenges of Built Environment PSE Changes

In spring 2010, Public Health - Seattle & King County was awarded two highly-competitive federal stimulus grants to address the leading causes of death in our region as part of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW). After a thorough and competitive review process, the CDC granted 44 communities awards aimed at broad reaching, highly impactful, and sustainable change to reduce chronic disease morbidity and mortality associated with obesity and tobacco use. In King County, 54% of adults are overweight or obese, 20% are obese, and 5.4% have been diagnosed with diabetes. This presentation focuses on the evaluation of the seven local government grantees that involved a participatory, developmental approach selected to focus their efforts on creating policy, systems and environment (PSE) changes that would produce healthier built environments and food environments. PSE evaluation methodology is still a relatively new field. As well, the introduction of health concepts into planning is relatively new for many. As a result, creative evaluation plans and processes were developed and specific tools (Healthy Food Environments and Healthy-Inclusive Comprehensive Plans) were developed to capture baseline and changes over time. A key component to success was the introduction of “consultant-experts” as inputs in the process. The evaluation takes into account what real world changes are possible in an atmosphere of economic downturns and layoffs as well as multiple stakeholder interests in policy development at the local government level. The presenter will discuss the outcomes, challenges and lessons learned.