Preventing Chronic Disease | [article title] - CDC ► Evolution in Obesity and Chronic Disease Prevention Practice in California Public Health Departments, 2010

Preventing Chronic Disease | [article title] - CDC

Evolution in Obesity and Chronic Disease Prevention Practice in California Public Health Departments, 2010

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• Abstract
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Acknowledgments
• Author Information
• References
• Tables

Liz Schwarte, MPH; Samantha Ngo, BA; Rajni Banthia, PhD; George Flores, MD, MPH; Bob Prentice, PhD; Maria Boyle, MS, RD; Sarah E. Samuels, DrPH†

†Deceased.

Suggested citation for this article: Schwarte L, Ngo S, Banthia R, Flores G, Prentice B, Boyle M, et al. Evolution in Obesity and Chronic Disease Prevention Practice in California Public Health Departments, 2010. Prev Chronic Dis 2014;11:120177. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.120177.

PEER REVIEWED

Abstract

Introduction
Local health departments (LHDs) are dedicating resources and attention to preventing obesity and associated chronic diseases, thus expanding their work beyond traditional public health activities such as surveillance. This study investigated practices of local health departments in California to prevent obesity and chronic disease.

Methods
We conducted a web-based survey in 2010 with leaders in California’s LHDs to obtain diverse perspectives on LHDs’ practices to prevent obesity and chronic disease. The departmental response rate for the 2010 survey was 87% (53 of California’s 61 LHDs).

Results
Although staff for preventing obesity and chronic disease decreased at 59% of LHDs and stayed the same at 26% of LHDs since 2006, LHDs still contributed the same (12%) or a higher (62%) level of effort in these areas. Factors contributing to internal changes to address obesity and chronic disease prevention included momentum in the field of obesity prevention, opportunities to learn from other health departments, participation in obesity and chronic disease prevention initiatives, and flexible funding streams for chronic disease prevention. LHDs that received foundation funding or had a lead person or organizational unit coordinating or taking the lead on activities related to obesity and chronic disease prevention were more likely than other LHDs to engage in some activities related to obesity prevention.

Conclusion
California LHDs are increasing the intensity and breadth of obesity and chronic disease prevention. Findings provide a benchmark from which further changes in the activities and funding sources of LHD chronic disease prevention practice may be measured.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from The California Endowment. The authors acknowledge the contributions of Dr Heidi Skolnik, research analyst at The Sarah Samuels Center for Research and Evaluation. She analyzed the data and contributed to the synthesis and interpretation of the research findings.

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Author Information

Corresponding Author: Liz Schwarte, MPH, Ad Lucem Consulting, 1339 Waller St, San Francisco, CA 94117. Telephone: 415-252-8646. E-mail:Liz@adlucemconsulting.com.

Author Affiliations: Samantha Ngo, MPH/MSW candidate at the University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California; Rajni Banthia, Resource Development Associates, Oakland, California; George Flores, The California Endowment, Oakland, California; Bob Prentice, Partnership for the Public’s Health/Public Health Institute, Oakland, California; Maria Boyle, Abt Associates, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Sarah E. Samuels, The Sarah Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation, Oakland, California. At the time of the study, Ms Schwarte, Ms Ngo, Dr Banthia, and Ms Boyle were affiliated with The Sarah Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation, Oakland, California. Dr Prentice is now retired. Sarah E. Samuels died March 29, 2014.

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