Transcript The Value of Policy and Environmental Changes to Support

Texas Department of State Health Services
Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity Prevention Program
The Value of Policy and Environmental Changes
to Support Physical Activity
Natalie Clifton, M.Ed., CHES
2010 State Agency Wellness Conference
September 22, 2010
Evidence
“Policy and environmental change initiatives that
make healthy choices in nutrition and physical
activity
Available, Affordable, & Easy
Will likely prove most effective in combating
obesity.”
Obesity Target Areas
Physical
Activity
Fruits &
Vegetables
Breastfeeding
SugarSweetened
Beverages
High- EnergyDense Foods
TV
Viewing
Basic Public Health Question
Will the public’s health improve primarily as a result of:
Individuals getting more and better knowledge about personal
risk factors that increase the likelihood of obesity
OR
Individuals and groups getting more skills and opportunities to
participate in changing public policy and environments?
Socio-ecological Model
Policy & Environmental Change:
More than telling people what to eat and
how to exercise
• Shift the focus from individual behavioral
level
• Advance solutions that improve health on
a population level
So What is P&E Change?
• Policy – laws, regulations, formal and
informal rules and understandings that are
adopted on a collective basis to guide
individual and collective behavior
• Environmental change – things that alter
or control the legal, social, economic, and
physical environment affecting health
What P&E Change is Not
•
•
•
•
•
•
Health fairs
Education
Events
Brochures
Classes
Other
Balancing Values
Social Accountability
Personal Responsibility
Growing Community Video Series
www.dshs.state.tx.us/obesity/GrowingCommunity.shtm
Texas! Bringing Healthy Back: The DVD
• Six short videos (5-8 minutes each) featuring inspiring
community programs
• CDC Evidence Based Strategies
Texas! Bringing Healthy
Back
• Initiative with a pioneering approach: Community vs.
Individual
• Examples of changing our environment to make healthy
living the easy choice in Texas.
• Goal: To Make Healthy Eating and Active Living
the Easy Choice for All Texans.
Your Role: Catalyst for Change
Help Bring Healthy Back to Texas by:
1
2
3
4
Watching the six videos
Sharing the videos with others:
Encouraging a discussion
Logging your Screenings at the Bringing
Healthy Back Web site:
www.texasbringinghealthyback.org
1. Watch the Six Videos on the DVD
2. Share the videos with others by:
3. Share the Message
Encourage a discussion
4. Share the results with DSHS
CDC Community Guide:
Environmental and Policy Approaches to
Increase Physical Activity
• Community-Scale Urban Design Land Use
Policies
• Creation of or Enhanced Access to Places for
Physical Activity Combined with Informational
Outreach Activities
• Street-Scale Urban Design Land Use Policies
• Point-of-Decision Prompts to Encourage Use of
Stairs
Create or enhance access to
places to be physically active…
• Building walking trails
• Providing public access to school gymnasiums,
playgrounds, or community centers.
• Worksite activity programs that provide access
to onsite or offsite fitness rooms, walking breaks,
or other opportunities to engage in physical
activity.
• Interventions to improve access should also
include outreach that increases awareness of
the opportunity to be active
Worksite Physical Activity
Strategies
1. Allow maximum access
to recreation facilities.
2. Provide cash incentives
or reduced insurance
costs for participation in
physical activity and/or
weight management or
maintenance activities
3. Institute environmental
changes to increase
activity.
Worksite Physical Activity
Strategies
4. Set up programs that
have strong social
support systems and
incentives.
5. Encourage scheduling
that allows for more
activity.
6. Promote opportunities.
7. Provide on-site child care
facilities to facilitate
physical activity
Improving Worksite Stairwells
Stairwell Basics
• The stairwells need to be safe, with
controlled access from the outside.
• Stairwells should be well-lit with good
visibility (including mirrors and video
cameras if needed).
• Stairwells should be well constructed
and maintained, equipped with nonslip or non-skid treads, and cleaned
regularly.
Creating Attractive and Inviting
Stairwells
• Post motivational signs and prompts
at elevators that encourage
employees to take the stairs.
Alternative Transportation
"Alternative transportation" modes
are telecommuting, carpools,
vanpools, public
transportation, bicycling,
walking, and running.
These commute methods are
relevant to employee health in
two ways:
•
•
A reduction in the use of singleoccupancy vehicles helps
reduce environmental fuel
emissions.
Employees who use "active
transport" (public transportation,
bicycling, and walking) to
commute to work may increase
their daily physical activity.
Federal Agency Policy Examples
5 U.S.C. § 7901
Federal agency heads may establish health service programs to promote
and maintain the physical and mental fitness of their employees. Authorizes
agencies to establish and operate physical fitness programs and facilities
designed to promote and maintain employee health, such as occupational
safety and health.
41 CFR 102-79.30
States that federal agencies can allot space in federal buildings for fitness
programs.
5 U.S.C. § 7905
States that federal agency heads may develop programs to encourage
commuting by means other than single-occupancy motor vehicles. Includes
transit passes and furnishing space, facilities, and services to bicyclists.
5 U.S.C. § 5946
Sets limits on paying membership fees or dues of federal employees in
societies or associations. However, Comptroller General Decision B-240371
(Jan 18, 1991) allows agencies to pay for access to private fitness facilities
for its employees as part of its health service program.
Resources
• 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans:
http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/
• Guide to Community Preventive Services:
Worksite Health Promotion
http://www.thecommunityguide.org/worksite/index.html
• Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to
Prevent Obesity in the United States:
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/community_strategies_guide.
pdf
• Healthier Worksite Initiative, CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/hwi/index.htm
• Indicators of Activity-Friendly Communities
http://www.nspapph.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_
download&gid=26&Itemid=83
• Visit www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/stairwell/motivational_signs.htm
to obtain sample stairwell signs that have been tested and found to
be effective.
For further information & resources:
www.texasbringinghealthyback.org
Texas Department of State Health Services
Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity Prevention Program
Natalie Clifton
Texas Department of State Health Services
Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity Prevention
Tower Building 406 / Mail Code 1944
PO Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714
P 512-458-7111 ext. 3447
F 512-458-7618
E-Mail: [email protected]