Anatomy of active living collaboratives: Results from the Coalitions and Networks for Active Living (CANAL) study

Introduction: Environmental and policy approaches are recognized as important to public health efforts to influence activity behaviors. The Coalitions and Networks for Active Living (CANAL) study seeks to understand active living collaboratives, which are in a unique position to promote these approaches in their communities. We will describe the structures and processes of multi-sector, community-based active living collaboratives across the United States. We will also profile the range and extent of environmental and policy changes (EPC) accomplished by these groups. Method: We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with each collaboratives' designated representative. Items included organizational leadership and structures, tactics and activities (e.g., community engagement, media engagement, activism and advocacy, policymaker engagement and assessment strategies), and the extent of environmental change and related policy actions in eight strategy areas (e.g., parks and recreation, transit). Descriptive statistics, environmental and policy change scoring algorithms, and analytic models will be presented. Results: 59 collaboratives completed interviews. Our sample represents 22 states with groups from urban, suburban, rural and mixed geographies. We will describe the range and depth of EPC by key indicators of collaborative effectiveness. For example, groups that were more likely to engage non-traditional partners (e.g., community leaders and media), engage in written advocacy and offer public testimony were more likely to advance the EPC agenda. Conclusions: Results from this study will showcase the work accomplished by community organizations, local government agencies and the private sector around active living. These findings will inform practice guidelines for collaborative approaches to advance environmental and policy change.