Healthy Communities Walking Program A Program for Chelsea, Dexter and Manchester

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Healthy Communities Walking Program A Program
for Chelsea, Dexter and Manchester

• Ruth Shantz
• Chelsea Community Hospital
• May 7, 2004

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If current trends continue, weight problems will
soon overtake smoking as the top cause of
preventable death. -- JAMA, March 10, 2004
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Why a walking program?

• HIP Survey data revealed that residents in
  Chelsea, Manchester and Dexter are somewhat more
  overweight than county residents as a whole.
• Many experts assert that overweight is a result
  of the core problem of inactivity.
• For programs geared to getting people moving,
  walking programs have several advantages.

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Whose walking program?

• Wanted to develop a program that would be
  successful.
• Examined a number of research studies recommended
  by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• Selected a number of elements from these studies
  to develop our own program.

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In what way is the program evidence-based?

• Setting goals
• Making contracts with others to be active
• Provide social support (e.g., phone calls, group
  sessions, e-mails)
• Reward behavior
• Include relapse prevention

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How was the program implemented?

• Recruited community groups and individuals
• Held Enrollment sessions where program was
  described, materials handed out, and baseline
  measurements taken
• Participants log walking or walking-related
  activity
• Community Point Persons (CPP) provide ongoing
  support for participants

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How was program implemented? (Cont)

• 3, 6, 9, 12 month follow up sessions where
  measurements are taken and rewards for achieving
  milestones are handed out
• Participants receive a report of their progress
  in each quarter
• Aggregation of the outcomes is currently being
  compiled

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What resources are needed?

• A sponsoring group
• Financial resources for logs, rewards, CPPs,
  promotion.
• People to develop promotional materials,
  maintain database for tracking participants, etc.
• Marketing plan

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What are the outcomes being measured?

• Miles/minutes walked
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Current level of physical activity
• Healthy Days Measures

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What are our challenges?

• Ensuring that CPPs understand the importance of
  contact with participants, especially those who
  were not active
• Juggling follow up sessions with ongoing
  enrollments
• Sustaining the marketing
• Reaching community groups

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Resources

• Healthy Communities Walking Program website
  www.cch.org/healthycommunities/index.html
• CDCs website for Physical Activity
  www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/index.htm
• PBSs Americas Walking website
  www.pbs.org/americaswalking/