Mobilizing Rural Communities to Create Systemic Changes to Reduce Health Disparities

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Denise Everson, University of GeorgiaFollow
Amanda Tedrow, University of GeorgiaFollow
Al Parker EdD, University of GeorgiaFollow

First Presenter's Institution

University of Georgia Extension

Second Presenter's Institution

University of Georgia Extension

Third Presenter's Institution

University of Georgia Extension

Fourth Presenter's Institution

n/a

Fifth Presenter's Institution

n/a

Strand #1

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Strand #2

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Relevance

We believe the work we are doing is creating strategies to enhance community capacity in addressing health inequities, "closing the gap" between suggested optimal development models and helping prepare a visioning masterplan in rural communities. We believe this work is affecting families and communities in a positive way, and can be a blueprint for other people-centered service organizations.

Brief Program Description

USG institutions are creating strategies to enhance community capacity in addressing health inequities, "closing the gap" between suggested optimal development models and helping prepare a visioning masterplan in rural communities.

Summary

Successful strategies to affect health disparities require multilevel interventions that improve knowledge and influence systems and environmental change. While strong evidence exists regarding urban community solutions, disparities exist between urban and rural communities in health equity, outcomes, and resource access. Rural communities often lack the capacity to implement educational strategies to improve quality of life due to health inadequacies such as lack of access to healthy foods and places to be active. University faculty in the colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Public Health, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Environment and Design are modifying urban strategies to meet rural needs.

Education and action-based programs were initiated to improve awareness and well-being. The ESRI Tapestry Segmentation was utilized to better understand the community’s socio-economic characteristics and lifestyle measures. A proximity analysis was conducted of food production areas and population to determine how to connect food production areas with a network of existing activity zones, local and regional trail networks, and to improve overall community walkability and county transportation network. Design interventions were created to improve current conditions in the county and prepare for future growth and expansion. Additionally, a demographic analysis of surrounding counties was conducted to determine entrepreneurial and economic development opportunities which might exist for both agricultural and recreational development within the community. Community residents and stakeholders were engaged to determine how to best "close the gap" between suggested optimal development models, current and future conditions and to prepare a visioning masterplan.

Learners will explore innovative approaches to planning and designing environments that promote health and wellbeing in rural communities. After this workshop, participants will have the framework to identify multi-faceted partnerships, implement community-wide initiatives, and nurture systemic change as a way to move from direct education to environmental solutions to create sustainable social change.

Evidence

The estimated annual health care costs of obesity-related illness are a staggering $190.2 billion or nearly 21% of annual medical spending in the United States. Childhood obesity alone is responsible for $14 billion in direct medical costs. Looking ahead, researchers have estimated that by 2030, if obesity trends continue unchecked, obesity-related medical costs alone could rise by $48 to $66 billion a year in the U.S.

Evaluations were conducted during full coalition meetings; surveys were administered each year to asses nutrition and physical activity behaviors. Key findings: 7% reduction in the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages; 3% increase in consumption of fruit and 16% increase in vegetable consumption; 3% increase in persons reporting being physically active 5 or more days a week; 3% decrease in reported obesity or overweight. The 3% reduction in overweight and obesity in Taliaferro county is very meaningful as overweight and obesity represents one of the greatest public health threats of the 21^st century and is often difficult to impact.

In focus groups,

In Taliaferro County participants reported increased access to healthier food options: the Healthier Together coalition held two Fresh Markets, which were described as “win-win” for both community members and the farmers who sell their products. This program has also benefited underserved communities by accepting SNAP and offering a sliding scale payment for healthy produce. The new salad bar at the school also had a positive community impact and the school has plans for the revitalization of a greenhouse as well. Five individuals participated in a Master Gardener Program and now volunteer in the garden and the Fresh Market.

Participants shared their efforts to eat healthier. Specifically, participants indicated that access to the fresh market, cooking classes, and the community gardens positively impacted their efforts to eat better. One spoke about trying new recipes and cooking in new ways that reduced sodium and sugar.

Taliaferro County participants reported increased physical activity and engagement in yoga classes or serving as an instructor for yoga classes. Participants are walking more due to the Walking Challenge and increased signage that show walking distance for walkers and joggers. Seniors are participating in stretch and strengthening classes, yoga classes are being offered, and there is additional workout equipment for the gym. Also, the community has participated in a Bike Rodeo, a Fishing Rodeo, and a Family Fun Day with fitness equipment.

They stated that the Family Fitness Night was well attended and “lots of fun.” The Walking Challenge coordinated by Healthier Together had an impact as well, with one participant saying, “people are out walking and trying to get healthier.”

Taliaferro County participants reported increased connections being forged through Healthier Together. General accounts included meeting “so many new people” and “making new connections and getting to know people better.” Furthermore, new connections were forged between individuals and the staff of the Farm Bureau and the Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program. One participant reported that overall “more awareness has been brought to the community through the coalition, we are more health conscious now.”

Community members are working hard to build sustainability for these efforts. We have garnered over $135,000 in leveraged individual and community resources. Through our coalition members and additional grant funding, we are working to develop sustainability plans over the next five years.

Taliaferro County Board of Commissioners

• Provided office space for Healthier Together Taliaferro program educator
• Provided storage building for Fresh Stop market equipment (e.g., tables, tents, chairs)
• Provided corner lot in downtown to host Fresh Stop market every other week, June–October
• Provided meeting space for coalition meetings six times a year, as well as other coalition meetings/activities at no cost
• Provided classroom space for weekly yoga classes every Tuesday evening
• Provided three acres of land to create community walking trail
• Allowed time on monthly agenda for updates on Healthier Together Taliaferro
• Enlisted county workers to load, set-up, and return Fresh Stop market equipment during market season (every other week, 2 county workers, June–October)

Taliaferro County Senior Center

• Provided time on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Senior Strength and Stretch programs
• Invited speakers for diabetes education and cancer prevention nutrition programs
• Promoted Fresh Stop market and sliding fee; encouraged volunteer participation

Taliaferro County School and Board of Education

• Provided in-school nutrition and physical activity programming (4-H)
• Started smarter lunchroom program—equipment, educational marketing/promotion
• Supplemented physical education programs with equipment
• Hosted family fun night to encourage youth and adults to be active and introduce ways of being active
• Provided space for mobile greenhouse
• Two teachers served as in-school educational partners
• Encouraged community use of walking track outside of school hours

Taliaferro County Health Department

• Promoted Fresh Stop market
• Promoted/displayed destination walking signs to encourage activity
• Hosted Senior WIC Farmer’s Market on alternating weeks of Fresh Stop market during July–August
• Marketed health and wellness programming

Taliaferro County Family Connections

• Promoted Healthier Together Taliaferro programs through Facebook and other social media
• Promoted and volunteered for bi-monthly Fresh Stop market
• Coordinated community walking challenge and bike rodeo
• Solicited donations for activity incentives for walking challenge and bike rodeo

City of Sharon

• Provided over one-acre of land for community garden, educational teaching pavilion and hoop house
• Provided water and electricity for community garden activities
• Allowed use of city building for community garden meetings and volunteer activities
• Hosted spring open house event to introduce community garden

AH Stephens State Park

• Promoted physical activity programming year-round
• Hosted annual bike rodeo—providing pavilion use, bike rental, park entrance and guided bicycle tours

Learning Objectives

Learners will explore innovative approaches to planning and designing environments that promote health and wellbeing in rural communities. After this workshop, participants will have the framework to identify multi-faceted partnerships, implement community-wide initiatives, and nurture systemic change as a way to move from direct education to environmental solutions to create sustainable social change.

Biographical Sketch

Denise holds a Master of Education from UGA and serves as Family & Consumer Sciences Program Development Coordinator, working with county faculty to plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based programs. She has received national recognition for Extension programming in nutrition, food safety and youth development.

Amanda serves as Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Development Coordinator, supporting programming efforts of county agents. Prior to this, she was a county agent, supporting volunteers, farmers and homeowners. Amanda studied Horticulture and Integrated Pest Management at UGA.

Al received his MS in Agricultural Education from UGA. He has serves as the Northeast District 4-H Program Development Coordinator, working with county faculty to provide 4-H programming. He is currently working on his dissertation for his Doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy.

Keyword Descriptors

Community Engagement, PSE, Health, Obesity, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Community Coalitions

Presentation Year

2021

Start Date

3-10-2021 10:05 AM

End Date

3-10-2021 11:05 AM

Recommended Citation

Everson, Denise; Tedrow, Amanda; and Parker, Al EdD, "Mobilizing Rural Communities to Create Systemic Changes to Reduce Health Disparities" (2021). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 51.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2021/2021/51