If we build it, we will come: a model for community-led change to transform neighborhood conditions to support healthy eating and active living

Am J Public Health. 2015 Jun;105(6):1072-7. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302599. Epub 2015 Apr 16.

Abstract

Neighborhoods affect health. In 3 adjoining inner-city Cleveland, Ohio, neighborhoods, residents have an average life expectancy 15 years less than that of a nearby suburb. To address this disparity, a local health funder created the 2010 to 2013 Francis H. Beam Community Health Fellowship to develop a strategic community engagement process to establish a Healthy Eating & Active Living (HEAL) culture and lifestyle in the neighborhoods. The fellow developed and advanced a model, engaging the community in establishing HEAL options and culture. Residents used the model to identify a shared vision for HEAL and collaborated with community partners to create and sustain innovative HEAL opportunities. This community-led, collaborative model produced high engagement levels (15% of targeted 12 000 residents) and tangible improvements in the neighborhood's physical, resource, and social environments.

MeSH terms

  • Cities
  • Community Networks / organization & administration*
  • Community Participation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Culture
  • Diet*
  • Environment Design*
  • Female
  • Financing, Organized
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Organizational
  • Motor Activity*
  • Ohio
  • Poverty Areas
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Residence Characteristics*