Weaving equity into local public health planning and practice through Communities Putting Prevention to Work

Purpose: To achieve equity of healthy eating and active living (HEAL) policy, systems and environmental changes, Nashville's Communities Putting Prevention to Work Campaign approach is based on: a) understanding population and institutional discriminatory beliefs; b) community partnerships; c) training and dialogue, d) community engagement, and e) data. Methods: Monthly training and dialogue sessions with staff and community partners are held to increase understanding of the social determinants of health, population attitudes/beliefs as well as institutional policies and norms. Community engagement and input is achieved through listening sessions and dialogue that inform strategy development and implementation. Data from multiple sources are used to assess reach and uptake of each initiative. Processes are continuously monitored and modified based on data and staff/community input. Results: All staff and partners participated in "Dialogue in Diversity" training. Five mini-grants have been awarded to partners located in high-risk communities to create and sustain high leverage changes. Listening sessions, surveys and dialogue with community partners and residents have informed the development and implementation of a low-cost bike share program in low-income neighborhoods, a corner store initiative to increase access to healthful foods/beverages in five food deserts, a faith community initiative to increase the presence of HEAL policies and practices; and community gardens that unite intergenerational neighborhood and community residents together. Discussion: Collectively these processes assure that equity is woven into all aspects of the campaign so that high need communities will benefit from policy, systems and environmental changes. Barriers and successes will be discussed.