Active generations: an intergenerational approach to preventing childhood obesity.

BACKGROUND: Over the last 3 decades, US obesity rates have increased dramatically as more children and more adults become obese. This study explores an innovative program, Active Generations, an intergenerational nutrition education and activity program implemented in out-of-school environments (after school and summer camps). It utilizes older adult volunteers to implement a version of the evidence-based childhood obesity prevention program, Coordinated Approach to Child Health, in 8 US cities. METHODS: Approximately 760 children in third- to fifth-grade participated in Active Generations, a 10-lesson, intergenerational, childhood obesity prevention program. Children completed an age-appropriate survey instrument, the Active Generations survey (AGS). The AGS is a valid and reliable, self-administered, self-report, paper-and-pencil survey designed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. It was administered by trained volunteers on the first day and last day of the program. Constructs assessed included physical activity, nutrition, and media use. RESULTS: Students significantly increased their reported fruit and vegetable consumption post-program. For example, the percentage of students reporting eating 3 or more servings of vegetables per day was 16% greater post-program. Students were more likely to report reading food labels and greater confidence that they could participate in physical activity. They also significantly decreased their daily screen time. CONCLUSIONS: Active Generations is a promising childhood obesity prevention program.

Rural medical-legal partnership and advocacy: a three-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: Medical-legal partnerships perform advocacy services for vulnerable and underserved populations, who are burdened disproportionately by legal and medical problems. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness and projected sustainability of a rural medical-legal partnership (MLP). METHODS: Five years of baseline data and three years of follow-up data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as logic modeling. RESULTS: The benefit relative to cost of the MLP increased between the years of 2002-2006 and 2007-2009. The number of people served increased across the two time periods, and the proportion of cases won remained the same. Overall, the population served remained similar across time. The MLP continued to show social and financial impacts, such as health care recovery dollars (319% return on investment between 2007 and 2009), Social Security benefits, family law services, and end-of-life guidance. CONCLUSION: A rural MLP can maintain its impact and efficiency across time and have opportunities for expansion.

Experiences of chronic stress one year after the Gulf oil spill.

One of the largest oil spills in world history happened off the Alabama Gulf coast in April of 2010. One year later the Gulf Coast community was still trying to recover and reestablish itself as a major source for the shipping, tourism, fishing and energy industries. Although this disaster did not physically destroy communities and families, it did take an economic and psychological toll. Researchers conducted focus groups with mental health professionals employed by Project Rebound, a state sponsored response to disasters in Alabama to explore the mental health effects of the Gulf Oil Spill on two gulf coast communities one year after the spill. Project Rebound clinicians were the front line of the mental health response to the spill and collaborated with community service agencies to provide support to adults, children, and families in the Gulf Coast community. The semi-structured focus groups allowed staff to discuss the extent of mental health treatment utilization as well as provide valuable input as to what can be done to better prepare communities and agencies for future disasters.

Identification and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial preparedness resources from the Centers for Public Health Preparedness.

An exemplar group of disaster mental health subject matter experts was formed as part of the CDC Center for Public Health Preparedness program to develop a "toolkit" of relevant CPHP disaster mental health training and education curricula and resources. The group developed a charter, compiled relevant CPHP training materials, developed an objective review template, and collectively reviewed the assembled resources. Curricular reviews were presented at a March 2005 meeting where an asset matrix was developed to categorize and compare the training and education curricula and resources. This article describes findings and next steps for toolkit development and refinement. Some recommendations for the toolkit identified thus far are to develop standardized disaster mental health nomenclature, add training exercises to the array of CPHP training and education resources, develop disaster mental health competencies for public health workers, add more advanced trainings to the current repertoire, and add resources to the toolkit during the coming years. The group also plans to disseminate the mental health/psychosocial preparedness toolkit to practice partners engaged in training disaster response personnel.

An innovation in partnership among first responders and public health: bridging the gap.

To properly prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other urgent public health threats and emergencies, response disciplines must work together in well coordinated efforts to address the preparedness needs of their communities and the nation. Traditional public health workforce and first responder roles have been challenged and new partnerships have emerged, increasing the need for innovative education and training. This article provides a review of an approach the Heartland Center for Public Health Preparedness took to foster these partnerships and increase the provision of competency-based, integrated responder education and training in the St. Louis, MO, metropolitan area.