142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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304983
Using a multi-pronged evaluation plan to examine the reach, impact, and effectiveness of comprehensive SNAP-Ed nutrition education and obesity prevention programming strategies in Los Angeles County, 2013

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 : 9:30 AM - 9:50 AM

Jack Thompson, MPH , Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Nutrition and Activity Program, LOS ANGELES, CA
Dipa Shah-Patel, MPH, RD , Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Tony Kuo, MD, MSHS
Brenda Robles, MPH , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Introduction: Beginning in 2013, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) received funding to deliver an array of Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention (NEOP) programming focused on improving policy, systems, and environments (PSE) to highly diverse populations living in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)-Ed eligible regions of Los Angeles County. We present the development and dissemination of a tiered, mixed-methods evaluation focused on assessing the reach, impact, and effectiveness of this innovative application of SNAP-Ed funding. 

Methods: In conjunction to reviewing NEOP Scope of Work to ensure key evaluation mandates were met, DPH coordinated with funder and NEOP program analysts to develop a comprehensive evaluation plan examining various levels of the socio-ecological model.

Results: Existing random digit dial telephone surveys of key target groups were augmented to examine NEOP impact at the population level. A context scan compared SNAP-Ed programming in relation to other public health interventions within similar geographical areas. Environmental scans using a pre-existing scan tool documented environmental changes in NEOP targeted communities. At the individual level, a pre-post matched pair design examined impact of evidence-based direct and indirect nutrition education curriculums. Additionally, intercept surveys sought to examine impact of select PSE-focused interventions on individual health behaviors. Intervention reach was tracked using a pre-existing activity tracking form.

Conclusions: Little is known about the new SNAP-Ed funding approach to improve socio-ecologic barriers to healthy eating and to improve population health behaviors among SNAP-Ed populations. Findings from NEOP evaluation efforts provides a unique opportunity to address this gap.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice

Learning Objectives:
Describe the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health tiered, mixed-methods evaluation plan guided by the socio-ecologic model that seeks to measure the impact of Los Angeles Nutrition Education Obesity Prevention Initiative (NEOP) strategy interventions at the individual, environmental, and population level. Discuss how results of a multi-pronged evaluation approach to measure SNAP-Ed nutrition education and obesity prevention programming effectiveness can inform future program planning decisions, improve intervention quality and dissemination, and strengthen the evidence base related to the application of public health approaches in vulnerable populations.

Keyword(s): Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present the content of my abstract because I received an MPH and work for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on a variety of evidence-based nutrition programming and evaluation efforts.
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.