Statewide PHC: A Systems Change Initiative Resulting in Policy and Environmental Changes

The Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities (Statewide PHC) Initiative is an evidence-informed approach to combat childhood obesity which teaches participating Ys to use community engagement as a driver for policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes. The initiative is consistent with Healthy People 2020 and RWJF strategies for physical activity and nutrition.

PSE changes are facilitated by the following training model: 1.Pre-Intervention Engagement where teams learn community engagement and the value of PSE approaches to prevention. Survey data shows 94.7% of respondents meet their chief learning objectives. 2.Learning Institutes where participants refine their PSE skill set. Evaluation data demonstrates 93.84% of participants find these events valuable. 3.Ongoing Coaching with staff that results in 75% of survey respondents indicating these efforts guided their work.

Statewide PHC also follows a simple yet powerful structure enabling communities to implement PSE changes: 1.Develop a shared and compelling vision and spirit of inquiry; 2.Adapt to emerging opportunities; 3.Leverage and contribute to the evidence base; 4.Engage cross boundary leaders to advance PSE strategies; 5.Involve initiative leaders from the community; 6.Use data to assess intended implementation of policy goals; 7.Utilize collaborative leadership to increase initiative breadth and scope.

This approach has changed how Ys engage their community to drive PSE changes. Recent survey data shows that 16 communities (Cohort I) influenced 1,057 changes impacting 1.15 million lives. The second cohort will likely have similar results with 77.3% attempting a new PSE change and 22.7% expanding an existing PSE change.