Canyon Ranch Institute Healthy Community Program: Piloting a multi-sectoral school-based intervention in a traditionally underserved Latino/Hispanic neighborhood

Children who grow up in safe and supportive families and neighborhoods, free from abuse, neglect, and other negative influences, are more likely to live healthier and more productive lives. The Canyon Ranch Institute Healthy Community Program (CRI HCP) is an integrative health, community-based intervention based on the best practices of health literacy that targets improved health outcomes for children and their families. The program is conducted in partnership with local schools and community centers.

Outcomes from the CRI HCP pilot program conducted with Apollo Middle School will be reported. The school serves a predominantly Hispanic/Latino population living in a traditionally underserved, low-income neighborhood on the south side of Tucson, AZ.

The pilot took place on four consecutive Saturday mornings in the Fall of 2014 at the school. Recruiting took place through a partnership with a local medical practice, a federally qualified community health center, and the school.

The pilot successfully reached families and improved health outcomes of participants. A total of 82 adults and youth experienced the pilot. Adults were a mix of parents, grandparents, and other guardians. Youth were between the ages of 6 and 14 years. Adult outcomes include weight loss, lowered blood pressure, lowered blood glucose, a 25.9% reduction in PHQ-9 depression scores, and an increase in healthy days. Youth experienced a drop in unhealthy days, being sad less often and happier more often, an increase in eating with their family of 2.8 times per week (without television or other electronic devices), and an increase in exercise.