From Mounds of Data to Effectively Communicating Results Presented by: Valerie Quinn, M.Ed., California Department of Public Health, Network for a Healthy California Changing the Neighborhood Food Environment Additional contributors: Alyssa Ghirardelli, MPH,RD, Ellen Feighery, RN, MS APHA- Philadelphia, PA November 10, 2009

Presenter Disclosures (1)The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation existed during the past 12 months: Valerie Quinn, M.Ed. No relationships to disclose

Focus: Neighborhoods

CX 3 : Project Background Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention = CX 3 Objective: Activate consumers to improve food availability in low-income neighborhoods* Focused initiative with 23 funded local health depts. –Began 2006 (6 pilot sites) Collect neighborhood-level data using CX 3 standardized tools & methods –3 – 7 neighborhoods in jurisdiction * >50% 185% FPL

Local Role Change Agents –Data collection by local health department Involve community members where possible Disseminate and engage: Community groups, neighborhoods actively involved, community leaders

Data Uses Expose disparities Resource allocation Engage residents in advancing change Design/tailor interventions Real-world data to create healthier neighborhoods –City/Co Planners, Redevelopment agencies, inform General Plan, health impact, etc.

Neighborhood Marketplace Are healthy food choices available and accessible to residents of low-income neighborhoods? What’s the food store mix? What is the density of fast food outlets in neighborhood and around schools? How much and what are the types of healthy/unhealthy marketing messages on billboards around schools? Is it safe to walk to store? Is it accessible? What kinds of food are available from emergency food outlets? Nutrition education? And more!

CX 3 Data Collection: Mapping Network for a Healthy California Map Viewer Data layers: retail, farmers’ markets, schools, parks; census level Built environment: -Street connectivity -Lack of green space/parks -Out-of-balance store mix; saturation of FF and C-stores -Food deserts

Grocery stores and small markets –Different types of stores (large to small, c-stores, etc) –Availability and quality of fruits and vegetables, new WIC pkg –Fruit and vegetable prices –Marketing of healthy/unhealthy foods CX 3 Data Collection: Field Surveys Fast food –Availability of healthy options –Menu labeling –Marketing Outdoor marketing Food Banks Alternative Healthy Food Sources Walkability & Safety

Mountain of data! Need: Compelling ways to characterize conditions

CX 3 Data Analyses Neighborhood level Store level

Neighborhood level: Retail Food Environment * Percent of neighborhood stores offering predominately healthy food vs. those offering predominately high fat/sugar food. Healthy food sources include supermarkets or large grocery stores, small markets meeting quality standards, farmers markets & fruit/vegetable markets. High fat/sugar food sources include fast food outlets, convenience stores, & small markets not meeting quality standards. HEALTHY vs. UNHEALTHY FOOD SOURCES*

Store level Scores automatically calculated Formulas

CX 3 Communications Pieces Neighborhood Brief Fact sheets PowerPoint Store score card Fast food score card Neighborhood markets card Spanish (all) Templates

CX 3 Evaluation Survey CX 3 local health departments –22 of 23 responded Administered via Survey Monkey Qualitative & quantitative May 2009 First survey capturing results from CX 3 field work

Most Useful Data Analyses

“Specific store scores have so far been the most useful … Fast food ratio numbers have caused me to get a lot of media, but also caused some ripples in the community.”

Most Effective Communications Tools

“Fact sheets provided “call to action” which policy makers and key community leaders have found to be most helpful.” “Visuals of neighborhoods – powerful picture says a thousand words.”

Skill Improvement

Consumer-targeted interventions Network Retail Program started (73%) “Where to shop” lists for healthy food (68%) Skill building to foster parent or youth “Champions for Change” (68%) Food demos (68%) Corner store activities (64%) Sites responded as actively implementing or planning to implement

Community Actions

Discussion & Next Steps Relevant data Local innovation in applying data Analyses & Tools assisting efforts –Addt’l needs: media outreach, school scoring/analysis, more languages –Improve: supermarket analysis Varying skill level, experience –Focused TA in certain areas

Thank you! Valerie Quinn, M.Ed. Network for a Healthy California CA Dept. of Public Health This material was produced by the California Department of Public Health, Network for a Healthy California, with funding from the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.