Gita Rampersad, JD, MHA
2012 USPHS Conference
University of Maryland
College Park
AGENDA
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Background
FOCUS: Obesity Prevention
Getting Started: Community Health Assessments
Communities Putting Prevention to Work
 The Blue Island Model Community Program
 Community Health Coalitions
 Formation
 Branding
 Governance
 Evaluation
 Challenges
 Lessons Learned/Next Steps
Blue Island: Regional Location
BLUE ISLAND: HISTORY
BLUE ISLAND: HISTORY
BLUE ISLAND: DEMOGRAPHICS
OBESITY RATES
One in every three adults is obese. Approximately one in six children and
adolescents are obese.
OBESITY, cont.
 In Cook County, IL, approximately 63% of adults and
about 40% of children are overweight or obese
 Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are established
risk factors for obesity
 In Cook County, three in four adults do not eat the
recommended amount of fresh fruits and vegetables,
and most adults are not physically active
OBESITY, cont.
CDC: The New (AB)NORMAL
GETTING STARTED:
Community Health Assessments
 One shared goal: Improved community health through
redevelopment
 “Development Community”
 4 steps to assess community health status
 Precursor to community health coalition
GETTING STARTED, cont.
The ATSDR’s Action Model was used in the Blue Island
Community Health Monitoring program as a tool for
the community to identify public health and quality of
life issues (such as the environment, safety, public &
mental health, education, etc.) that most concern
them.
ATSDR worked with the City to develop corresponding
indicators to measure and track improvements in the
community as redevelopment efforts continue in Blue
Island.
GETTING STARTED, cont.
Public Health Themes
 Environmental Health
 Physical Health
 Mental Health
 Safety
Obesity was identified as a community concern for both
children and adults using the ATSDR Action Model.
COMMUNITIES PUTTING
PREVENTION TO WORK
The Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW)
is a federal initiative designed to make healthy choices
easier by promoting environmental changes at the
local level.
Through CPPW funding, Blue Island is working to
prevent obesity, one of two leading preventable causes
of death and disability.
Source:
http://www.cdc.gov/communitiesputtingpreventiontowork
CPPW, cont: Policy, Systems and
Environmental Change Strategies
American society has become
characterized by
environments that promote
increased food intake,
unhealthy foods, and physical
inactivity.--CDC
PSE change strategies are
evidence based community
level prevention strategies to
improve health outcomes.
CPPW, cont.:
The Blue Island Model
Community Program
Poor communities have fewer supermarkets, more fast
food restaurants and convenience stores. They have
limited green spaces, nearby trails, recreation centers,
or safe places to walk or play.
Community changes will help build a healthier Blue
Island and create a more satisfying place to live, work,
play and pray.
CPPW, cont. The Blue Island Model
Community Program PSE Strategies
 Partnerships
 Community Health Coalition
 Non Motorized Transportation
 Complete Streets Policy
 Improved Nutrition
 Community Gardens
 Food System Profile
 Breastfeeding Support
COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION
A community health coalition is a
multi sector group that operates to
improve the health of communities,
by promoting health, preventing
disease, and educating residents to
adopt healthy lifestyles
COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION, cont.
 Partnership
FORMATION
 Mission, Vision, Purpose
 Organizational Structure
 Membership
 Types: Individuals and Organizations, Active and
Supporting
 Voluntary
 Size
 Requirements
The mission of the Blue Island Community Health Coalition is to identify and address
public health concerns in order to improve the health status of the Blue Island
community.
COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION, cont.
BRANDING
Planning, Coordinating, Advocacy
COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION, cont.
GOVERNANCE
 Leadership
 Board
 Officers
 Committees
 Meetings
 Sponsors
 Manual
 Bylaws/Charter
The Blue Island Community Health Coalition is led by a team of officers that
include a chair, co-chair, secretary and treasurer. In addition, we have formed a
governance committee to oversee appointments and amendments to our bylaws.
COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION, cont.
VALUE AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Blue Island Community Health Coalition has achieved many successes since its inception.
Specifically, the group is responsible for leading the way towards the adoption of several municipal
ordinances, resolutions, proclamations and policies that address physical activity and nutrition; the
introduction of new worksite wellness policies; the expansion of community gardens and playgrounds,
the introduction of two healthy corner stores in food deserts, and the conversion of school vending
machines into those that offer healthy snack foods.
In God We Trust. All others must bring data.--Deming
COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITIONS, cont.
CHALLENGES
 Financial Resources
 Representation-broad based
 Cultural Competence-Respect, Understanding, Trust
 Sustainability-Evaluation
LESSONS LEARNED
 You need a community champion
 The power of a community- level public health effort is
not to be underestimated. Change can happen
anywhere as long as there is enthusiasm, participation,
collaboration, direction, and the drive to succeed.
 It is essential to form a well rounded coalition: one
that represents all segments of your community.
Choose representatives from where you work, play, eat,
learn and pray. Don’t forget our youth!
 Advocacy is key to sustainability
Our Challenge
Our goal is to transform Blue Island into a community where making
the healthier choice is the easier choice by changing policies, systems
and environments (PSE) to promote healthy eating and active living.
Relevant Health Inequities
Obesity
Poverty
Diabetes
Our Approach
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Make healthy foods more available and unhealthy foods less
available
Create safer, more convenient places for walking, biking and the
disabled
Promote breastfeeding to members of our community
Our Strategies
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Comprehensive Plan
Non-Motorized Transportation Plan
Complete Streets Policy
Sustainable Food Systems
Healthy Food & Beverage Options
Breastfeeding Friendly Environments
Community Gardens
Strong Local Partnerships
Why Collaborate?
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To prioritize PSE changes identified in previous planning effort
To build on existing partnerships to have lasting impact
To increase coordination between existing resources
Think Blue Island. Think Outside the Loop
DISCUSSION SESSION
CONTACT
Gita Rampersad, JD, MHA
Manager, Office of Community Health
City of Blue Island, IL
[email protected]