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Online Program

331224
Use of Context Scans as a Tool to Inform Nutrition and Obesity Prevention Investments in Los Angeles County


Wednesday, November 4, 2015 :

Katherine Rolfsmeyer, MPH, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Sarah Elizabeth Clark, MS, MALD, Independent, Redlands, CA
Jack Thompson, MPH, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Nutrition and Activity Program, LOS ANGELES, CA
Lisa Craypo, MPH RD, Ad Lucem Consulting, Kensington, CA
Brenda Robles, MPH, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Liz Schwarte, MPH, Ad Lucem Consulting, San Francisco, CA
Dipa Shah-Patel, MPH, RD, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Steve Baldwin, MS, RD, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Tony Kuo, MD, MSHS, Department of Family Medicine and the David Geffen School Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Introduction: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) partnered with Ad Lucem Consulting to conduct context scans to compile a 5-year profile of past and ongoing obesity prevention policy, system and environmental change (PSE) efforts in Los Angeles County. A companion inventory was developed for clinic- and community-based nutrition education (NE) services during the same period.

Methods:  Extensive online searches and 51 key informant interviews with a diverse group of PSE/NE experts in the region from academia, community-based organizations, the healthcare sector, faith-based organizations, funders, government agencies, non-profits, and schools informed the development of an inventory database of PSE and NE strategies implemented in the field during 2010-2015. Data housed in the inventory include strategies, funders, budget, populations served, goals, objectives and outcomes, key partners, and geographic focus.

Results: Thematic and content analysis of the inventory database generated a “snapshot” or portfolio of PSE and NE investments for the period 2010-2015. Overall, more than 200 PSEs were identified, ranging from executed shared-use agreements to school wellness policies to capacity building for active transportation. During the 5-year period, over $400 million was invested county-wide to combat poor nutrition and the obesity epidemic. Stratifications by geographies provided additional context on disparities in investment quantity.

Discussion: The database provided information on the breadth of program investments for priority populations in defined geographies and identified gaps in NE delivery. The scoping of these investments allowed DPH programs to better plan services allocation for the upcoming fiscal years beyond 2015.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Describe the process of conducting context scans for use in priority setting and planning of nutrition and obesity prevention efforts in Los Angeles County. Discuss how results from the context scans can be used to inform the coordination of health investment strategies in a local region.

Keyword(s): Community Health Planning, Policy/Policy Development

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 in Community Health Education and work for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Program. The focus of my work involves evaluating SNAP-Ed nutrition education and obesity prevention programming 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.

Back to: 5088.0: Community Health Program Evaluation and Assessment