Assessing the development of state active living promotion efforts through network analysis

Physical inactivity is a growing problem within communities in the United States. One method that is currently being used to address this concern is the promotion of active living communities. However, active living promotion requires collaboration among a very wide range of organizations, many of whom do not share core goals, and have no prior history of partnership or collaboration. In order to explore the structure of this collaboration, a network analysis was conducted to assess Hawaii's statewide active living promotion network. A reputational snowball sample was developed, identifying 26 organizations that play a significant role in promoting active living in Hawai'i. These agencies were surveyed about their frequency of contact, level of collaboration, and funding flow between agencies. A communication network was identified that linked all agencies. This network had many long pathways, impeding information flow. The Department of Health and the State Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition (NPAC) were both central nodes; the health department connected state agencies while the coalition linked with county and voluntary organizations. Within the network, information sharing was common, but collaboration and partnership was low. Linkages between county and state agencies, between counties, and between state agencies with different core agendas were particularly low. Results suggest that in the early stages of development, active living promotion collaborations may be divided by geography and differing core missions, requiring work to bridge these divides. Network mapping appears helpful in identifying areas for strengthening collaboration.