141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

285656
Active design in NYC: Multi-sector partnerships and community engagement strategies

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 1:10 PM - 1:30 PM

Emma Rodgers, MS , Bronx Health REACH/Institute for Family Health, New York, NY
Devin Madden, MPH , Department of Health Evidence and Policy, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Background: Over 30% of adults living in Central and East Harlem and the South Bronx reported no physical activity in the past 30 days. Physical inactivity contributes to increased rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes in these communities. To address the lack of physical activity opportunities, a multicity agency group developed the “Active Design Guidelines.” Originally designed for architects and urban planners, now schools, housing providers, community members and organizations are adopting the Guidelines to find solutions and implement projects in their communities. Methods: Community-based coalitions brought together leaders from schools and housing complexes in East Harlem and the South Bronx to design and implement active design projects in their community. We offered community capacity-building activities such as active design workshops for students and community residents; technical assistance on workplans, budgets, and press outreach; and connections to key stakeholders. Results: With new capacity and transdisciplinary partnerships, the coalitions are developing active design projects in East Harlem and the South Bronx including Play Streets, stairwell murals, and community-based physical activity venues for schoolchildren. We will evaluate perceived community benefits of active design projects, how participants perceive themselves as agents of change, as well as community-engagement tools, best practices and challenges. Conclusions: Engaging multiple sectors and community residents holds the potential to identify novel, high impact active design projects and increase their feasibility, acceptance and scalability. Documenting this process will provide public health professionals, community residents and organizations with best practices for designing and implementing active design projects in their community.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Describe step-by-step processes for building capacity among multiple sectors and community members in active design projects as well as the accompanying challenges Discuss perceived benefits of active design projects from the perspective of community members in urban, low-income communities, particularly those that the public health community would not have immediately identified Articulate the potential for high impact, scalable active design projects when multiple sectors and community residents lead the projects

Keywords: Community Capacity, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As Program Coordinator for the Partnership for a Healthier Bronx at Bronx Health REACH, Emma Rodgers, MS is responsible for organizing and leading community-level efforts that promote healthy living and reduce chronic diseases among Bronx residents. Partnering with the Partnership for a Healthier NYC and NYC Health Department, she works with community organizations, residents and other stakeholders to increase opportunities for active living, healthy eating, and tobacco-free living and reduce excessive and underage drinking.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.