Community Health Assets Profiler (CHAP) for physical activity and nutrition

Jennifer M. Lavely, BA¹, Rena A. Seth, BS¹, Alisa M. Ple-Plakon, BS¹, Karen Elizabeth Schultz, MPH², Beth Comerford, MA³, Ming-Chin Yeh, PhD³, Margot Zaharek, MS, CD-N⁴, and David L. Katz, MD, MPH⁵. (1) Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520, (203)610-1302, rena.seth@yale.edu, (2) Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418, (3) Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418, (4) CBPR Division, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418, (5) Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center, Yale University, School of Public Health, Griffin Hospital 30 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418

Background: The continually increasing rates of obesity and chronic disease in the United States have led public health professionals and policy makers to recognize the need to assess a community’s capacity to support a healthy lifestyle. However, practical tools that adequately evaluate structural indicators within a community are limited. We will demonstrate the utility and effectiveness of the Community Health Assets Profiler (CHAP), an innovative questionnaire that assesses characteristics relevant to physical activity and nutrition. Unlike other assessment tools currently available, the CHAP combines health indicators from several sources relevant to socio-demographic factors, environmental features, and currently implemented policies. Methods: (1.) We are administering the CHAP in the City of Derby, Connecticut. Data collection methods include phone calls, database and web searches, and geo-coding with GIS software. (2.) We are assessing the practical application of the CHAP in a community setting through a systematic internal assessment of time and resources dedicated to testing this tool. (3.) We are generating a report that will enable health professionals, community leaders, and policy makers to make informed decisions concerning resource allocation and policy development. Outcomes: Application of this tool yields an objective report of community gaps, assets, and resources relevant to supporting a healthy lifestyle. Potential uses of this report include the establishment of community priorities, development and evaluation of interventions designed to improve the health status of community residents, and the development of an evaluation system that may sufficiently monitor a community’s progress toward reducing its obesity rate.