A Midpoint Process Evaluation of the Los Angeles Basin Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Across the US (REACH US) Disparities Center, 2007-2009 || Preventing Chronic Disease: September 2011: 10_0187

COMMUNITY CASE STUDY

A Midpoint Process Evaluation of the Los Angeles Basin Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Across the US (REACH US) Disparities Center, 2007-2009
Annette E. Maxwell, DrPH; Antronette K. Yancey, MD, MPH; Mona AuYoung, MS, MPH; Joyce J. Guinyard, DC; Beth A. Glenn, PhD; Ritesh Mistry, PhD; William J. McCarthy, PhD; Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH; Paul A. Simon, MD, MPH; Roshan Bastani, PhD

Suggested citation for this article: Maxwell AE, Yancey AK, AuYoung M, Guinyard JJ, Glenn BA, Mistry R, et al. A midpoint process evaluation of the Los Angeles Basin Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Across the US (REACH US) Disparities Center, 2007-2009. Prev Chronic Dis 2011;8(5):A112. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/sep/10_0187.htm. Accessed [date].



PEER REVIEWED

Abstract

Background
Racial/ethnic minority groups have higher risks for disease resulting from obesity.

Community Context
The University of California, Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health partnered with community organizations to disseminate culturally targeted physical activity and nutrition-based interventions in worksites.

Methods
We conducted community dialogues with people from 59 government and nonprofit health and social service agencies to develop wellness strategies for implementation in worksites. Strategies included structured group exercise breaks and serving healthy refreshments at organizational functions. During the first 2 years, we subcontracted with 6 community-based organizations (primary partners) who disseminated these wellness strategies to 29 organizations within their own professional networks (secondary worksites) through peer modeling and social support. We analyzed data from the first 2 years of the project to evaluate our dissemination approach.

Outcome
Primary partners had difficulty recruiting organizations in their professional network as secondary partners to adopt wellness strategies. Within their own organizations, primary partners reported significant increases in implementation in 2 of the 6 core organizational strategies for promoting physical activity and healthy eating. Twelve secondary worksites that completed organizational assessments on 2 occasions reported significant increases in implementation in 4 of the 6 core organizational strategies.

Interpretation
Dissemination of organizational wellness strategies by trained community organizations through their existing networks (train-the-trainer) was only marginally successful. Therefore, we discontinued this dissemination approach and focused on recruiting leaders of organizational networks.

Author Information


Corresponding Author: Annette E. Maxwell, DrPH, UCLA Department of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, School of Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Box 956900, A2-125 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6900. Telephone: 310-794-9282. E-mail: amaxwell@ucla.edu

Author Affiliations: Toni (Antronette K.) Yancey, Mona AuYoung, Joyce J. Guinyard, Beth A. Glenn, Ritesh Mistry, Paul A. Simon, Roshan Bastani, William J. McCarthy, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California; Jonathan E. Fielding, UCLA and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, California.

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Preventing Chronic Disease: September 2011: 10_0187