Utilizing the CHANGE tool to implement new policies and environmental changes to reduce access to sugar-sweetened beverages

Statement of the problem: Watonwan is ranked 44 out of 87 counties in Minnesota, indicating poor health outcomes. According to the County Health Rankings, 31% of adults report a BMI above 30. The purpose of this project was to partner with worksites, community businesses, health care organizations and schools to implement policies and environmental changes that aim to reduce access to high sugar beverages such as soda, sports drinks and sugary juices and increase access and consumption of water. This project reached specific target populations, including low-income individuals and families, Latino community and youth.

Approach: The CDC Community Health Assessment aNd Group Evaluation (CHANGE) tool  was utilized for evaluations in community at-large, community organizations, schools, worksites and health care sites. CHANGE is a data collection tool and allowed for a preliminary snap-shot of the current policy and helped shape an action plan for desired systems and environmental change strategies around sugar-sweetened beverages.

Outcome: Policies were developed and implemented at the sites. Policies focused on decreasing access to high sugar beverages and increasing access to water.

Implication: The CHANGE tool was an effective tool to help identify interested partners, current policies, desire for systems and environmental changes within the sites, as well as tracking progress of the plan. The tool is recommended to assist communities in the development of a plan to improve health outcomes through policy development and implementation. This tool could be used by nurse educators and students to facilitate the improvement of population health.