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Preventive Medicine 2018
Journal of Preventive Medicine
ISSN: 2572-5483
Page 69
July 16-17, 2018
London, UK
9
th
Edition of International Conference on
Preventive Medicine
& Public Health
N
on-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain a strong public
health challenge, having impacts both in terms of human
suffering and socioeconomic harm. NCDs are the leading cause
of death globally, and account for greater than 40% of premature
deaths in those under the age of 70, with the greatest impact
occurring in low-to middle-income countries. To address these
issues, a culture of health must be created, targeting individuals
where they live, work and play. The purpose of this study was to
evaluatetheeffectivenessofacommunity-basedwellnessprogram
offered by a local grassroots coalition in a poor, underserved, rural,
Midwest, largely Hispanic county. Monthly health screenings and
education as well as referrals to local resources are provided at
a variety of sites (manufacturing, low-income housing, service,
and faith-based) to address the multiple determinants which
underlie chronic disease development. Additionally, the coalition
provides feedback to the sites concerning health needs of the
population. An academic-community partnership between a
nurse researcher and the coalition was created with the support
of a clinical and translational sciences grant to collect information
concerning policy, systems and environmental changes (PSE)
secondary to this program. Multiple PSE changes have been
noted as documented by qualitative data and quantitative scores
on the CDC community health evaluation and group assessment
(CHANGE) tool. This program is reaching vulnerable population
and creating PSE changes supporting healthy policies across
all sites and the community including instituting tobacco free
policies, making healthy food options cheaper, and creating
options for physical activity.
vsimpson@purdue.eduEncouraging policy, systems and environment changes to
support healthy lifestyles through academic-community
partnerships
Vicki Simpson
Purdue University, United States
J Prev Med 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.21767/2572-5483-C1-003