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Implementation and evaluation of community planning tools and conceptual frameworks: San antonio's healthy hubs project
Two community meetings were held to assess community members' physical activity preferences. A Coalition Analysis identified which community-identified strategies impact health outcomes and are the most feasible. Researchers conducted observational assessments in 2 nearby parks to assess current park use and physical activity in the parks. A community feedback survey was also conducted among a randomized sample of 115 community members.
Residents reported engaging in physical activity and using parks regularly. They identified several structural and social changes needed to improve the parks, especially increased safety. The Coalition Analysis identified walking, bicycling, soccer, football, skating and basketball as priority activities to promote. Direct Observations revealed low use across parks. The community survey indicated that 78% of residents utilized their streets for driving a car whereas 58% used the streets for walking to nearby public places. Top park user activities were basketball, sitting for a picnic, and walking/bicycling.
Walking is deemed the most feasible activity and is supported by the literature as an effective intervention strategy for increasing physical activity. Low park use suggests strategies, such as Healthy Hubs, are needed to promote physical activity resources in the community alongside efforts to increase safety.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationSystems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Explain the linkages between community infrastructure and physical activity levels among neighborhood residents.
Describe the methods and results of engaging resident feedback in the Healthy Hubs process.
Identify benefits to incorporating both perceived and actual needs assessments to inform Healthy Hubs.
Keyword(s): Infrastructure, Physical Activity
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a co-investigator on several NIH funded project and have experience in community-based intervention to increase healthy diet and physical activity opportunities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.