Emerging Interventions for Communities

Includes newly implemented, untested innovations with some apparent effectiveness in achieving stated aims (i.e., face validity). Strategies may be strong candidates for exploratory evaluation.

• Program name: Cultiva La Salud, formerly known as Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program
  Change type: Individual; Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE)
  Description: Targeted an agricultural region in central California with few dense urban neighborhoods and many small, isolated rural towns. In this community, overweight and obesity occur alongside hunger and there are multiple food deserts. Goals include promoting safe places for physical activity, increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and supporting community and youth engagement in local and regional efforts to change nutrition and physical activity environments. Implemented at each of eight sites in a partnership between the local health department, a community-based organization, and an obesity council.
  Plans to evaluate
  • Tested in rural setting
  • Audience tested: Eight counties in California with similar geographic, social, and political characteristics
  • Grantees have made progress in implementing their interventions and changing physical activity and healthy eating environments
  • More time is needed to achieve measurable outcomes
• Program name: Developing and Maintaining Trails
  Change type: PSE
  Description: Trails can be paved or unpaved and within parks, commercial or school settings. They can be used for recreational physical activity such as biking and walking and for active transportation by connecting residential, school, and commercial areas within communities.
  Plans to evaluate
  • Tested in rural setting
  • Two related studies of adults in rural Missouri found 32 - 55 % of trail users reported increased physical activity after they started using trails
  • Additional information is available in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine
• Program name: Creating Walkable and Bikeable Communities
  Change type: PSE
  Description: Rural communities can invest in biking and walking facilities to create opportunities for physical activity, reduce congestion, and draw residents and tourists to commercial areas. Strategies include developing walkways and bike paths connecting key community locations, maintaining trails, hosting events, and supporting safe cycling campaigns.
  Plans to evaluate
  • Tested in rural setting
  • A study found six out of seven rural communities with bicycle routes found they improved accessibility, efficiency of transportation system
  • Additional information is available from the Transportation Research Board website
• Program name: Utilizing Innovative Grocery Store Ownership Models
  Change type: PSE
  Description: Although grocery stores are an important institution in rural communities, recent trends are causing them to close. Lack of access to grocery stores can reduce rural residents’ access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious food. Rural communities can use innovative models of grocery store ownership such as cooperatives, community-owned, or school-based. Community demographics and characteristics dictate which ownership models may be most effective.
  Plans to evaluate
  • Tested in rural setting
  • A recent study found greater supermarket availability was generally unrelated to diet quality and food and vegetable intake
  • Researchers concluded that increased access to food stores may require complementary or alternative strategies to promote dietary behavior change
  • Additional research is available through PubMed