Community Interventions: A Brief Overview and Their Application to the Obesity Epidemic

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina D. Economos ◽  
Sonya Irish-Hauser
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Model ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Community Interventions ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Research Perspective ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Group Memberships

Defining community from a research perspective is difficult. Communities consist of environmental, social, and geographic components. In addition, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status (SES), and group memberships often play roles in community identity. Barry Wellman and Scot Wortley urge that to truly understand and influence a community, and most certainly to conduct research within communities, one must take into account the varied nature of relationships and networks and how they may work together synergistically to meet the needs of community members. Using the Social Ecological Model, with its delineation of multiple spheres of influence (individual-interpersonal-organizational-community-public policy), community-based research has attempted to reach this understanding. Although dramatic shifts have not yet been realized, many studies suggest improved health behaviors and healthy environments, which indicate a promising future for community intervention work. The discussion that follows reviews the theory and rationale for community-based interventions, the socialecological approach to understanding and studying obesity, and the progress and promise of community interventions.

scholarly journals And yet Again: Having Breakfast Is Positively Associated with Lower BMI and Healthier General Eating Behavior in Schoolchildren

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1351
Author(s):  
Peggy Ober ◽  
Carolin Sobek ◽  
Nancy Stein ◽  
Ulrike Spielau ◽  
Sarah Abel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Status ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
School Setting ◽  
School Type ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Nutritional Behavior ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
National Programs

Given the high prevalence of childhood overweight, school-based programs aiming at nutritional behavior may be a good starting point for community-based interventions. Therefore, we investigated associations between school-related meal patterns and weight status in 1215 schoolchildren. Anthropometry was performed on-site in schools. Children reported their meal habits, and parents provided family-related information via questionnaires. Associations between nutritional behavior and weight status were estimated using hierarchical linear and logistic regression. Analyses were adjusted for age, socio–economic status, school type, migration background, and parental weight status. Having breakfast was associated with a lower BMI-SDS (βadj = −0.51, p = 0.004) and a lower risk of being overweight (ORadj = 0.30, p = 0.009), while having two breakfasts resulting in stronger associations (BMI-SDS: βadj = −0.66, p < 0.001; risk of overweight: ORadj = 0.22, p = 0.001). Likewise, children who regularly skipped breakfast on school days showed stronger associations (BMI-SDS: β = 0.49, p < 0.001; risk of overweight: OR = 3.29, p < 0.001) than children who skipped breakfast only occasionally (BMI-SDS: β = 0.43, p < 0.001; risk of overweight: OR = 2.72, p = 0.032). The associations persisted after controlling for parental SES and weight status. Therefore, our data confirm the school setting as a suitable starting point for community-based interventions and may underline the necessity of national programs providing free breakfast and lunch to children.

Framing Community-Based Interventions for Gun Violence: A Review of the Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monte-Angel Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Gun Violence ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research

Abstract Social workers are uniquely situated to lead community-based efforts to reduce gun violence, which has been identified as a prevalent and pressing public health concern. The current literature, however, has not addressed the frameworks guiding community-based interventions for gun violence. In the present article, a systematic literature review examines frameworks used to support community-based interventions for gun violence and to evaluate their outcomes. The search found 13 articles—unique to gun violence interventions—organized by the frameworks shaping perceptions of gun violence and community-based research. The review assessed frameworks based on their relationship to intervention stage and study outcomes. Findings suggest that these community-based gun violence interventions are shaped by systems, public health, and community mobilization frameworks. The article discusses frameworks found to be associated with successful community-based interventions and explains how the findings are relevant to future social work practice and research.

Preventing Elderly Suicide Through Primary Care by Community-Based Screening for Depression in Rural Japan

Crisis ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirofumi Oyama ◽  
Masahiro Goto ◽  
Motoi Fujita ◽  
Hiroshi Shibuya ◽  
Tomoe Sakashita
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Intervention Area ◽  
Elderly Suicide

Depression is a major cause of suicide among the elderly. Few previous community-based interventions against depression have reduced the suicide rate. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of a community-based program to prevent suicide among the elderly using a quasi-experimental design with a neighboring reference group. The program, including depression screening with follow-up and health education through primary care and public health nursing, was implemented for 10 years in Matsudai town, a rural area of Japan (population 6,015; suicide rate per 105 [≥65-year-olds] for males 290.6, and for females 361.3). Changes in the suicide risk were estimated by the incidence rate ratio (IRR). The female risk of completing suicide in the intervention area was reduced by 70% (age-adjusted IRR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.14-0.67), while there was no change in the risk for males in the intervention area nor for males or females in the reference area (Kawanishi town: population 9,425; elderly suicide rate for males 212.2, females 151.9). A ratio of the female IRR in the intervention area to that in its prefecture was also estimated at 0.45 (95% CI: 0.19-0.97), showing that the reduction of suicide risk in the intervention area was greater than the historical trend. A community intervention against suicide using management of depression with nonpsychiatric, primary health care would be effective for elderly females, but not males.

SAFER brief community intervention: a primary suicide prevention strategy to improve firearm and medication storage behaviour

2020 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2020-043902
Author(s):  
Jennifer Paige Stuber ◽  
Anne Massey ◽  
Morgan Meadows ◽  
Brett Bass ◽  
Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Brief Intervention ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Safe Medication ◽  
Medication Storage

ObjectiveTo determine if a brief intervention, called Signpost, Assess, Facts, Emotion, Recommend (SAFER), designed to motivate changes in behaviour to secure firearms and medications to prevent future suicide is feasible to implement in community-based settings such as gun shows, acceptable to participants at higher risk for suicide including veterans and men in the middles years (35–64) and improves firearm and medication locking behaviours.Methods1175 people received SAFER over a 12-month period at 18 gun shows and community events in 2019 and completed a preassessment measuring firearms ownership, storage practices, knowledge about suicide as the leading type of firearm fatality and attitudes about suicide prevention. 372 responded to a brief postassessment using comparable measures.Results85% of participants reported keeping firearms at home. 43.7% reported current or prior military service. 53.2% were males between the ages of 35 and 64. Among those who responded to the postassessment, 61% of participants reported SAFER to be highly valuable. Safe firearms storage improved among participants who completed the preassessment and postassessment (51.2% pre, 66.0% post; p<0.01) as did safe medication storage (14.8% pre, 21.6% post; p=0.01). Knowledge that most firearm fatalities are suicides (33.4% pre, 45.8% post; p<0.01) also improved.ConclusionsIt is feasible, acceptable and effective to reach groups at elevated risk for suicide using a brief intervention strategy in unconventional settings. Community-based interventions to improve safe storage motivated by suicide prevention messaging should be prioritised because men in the middle years are less likely to use mental health services.

Goals and Realities in Community-Based Research

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 28-32
Author(s):  
Nancy Gillis ◽  
Mariela Nuñez-Janes
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Applied Anthropology ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Conducting Research

Just as an actor spends months to years perfecting a role, applied anthropology graduate students also must practice the various roles they may play in community-based research. It is important for students to practice and gain experience in the field so that they feel prepared to lead their own community-based interventions. In this We believe it is important to expose students to the skills and strategies needed to successfully work with community members so that they can be prepared to navigate the obstacles that arise when conducting research as engaged practicing anthropologists.

scholarly journals Embedding Ethnocultural Empathy in a Community-Based Health Intervention Writing Assignment

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-62
Author(s):  
Maranda Ward
Keyword(s):  
Health Equity ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Program Planning ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Ethnocultural Empathy ◽  
Final Project

This article describes an undergraduate health sciences course where students propose a community-level intervention that addresses a local health disparity. Students use community planning principles and health equity concepts as a final project in their 8-week online community-engaged course. The student-proposed project engages a community in health education or promotion-program planning and allows for faculty assessment of pedagogical decisions. A curricular commitment to health equity enhances the capacity and competency of learners to address the structural inequities that fuel pervasive health disparities among socially disadvantaged populations. Ethnocultural empathy or racial/ethnic perspective taking is used as a measurable competency. The final paper requires students to describe how the perspectives of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) have shaped their proposed community intervention. They are also asked to offer recommendations on how to best mitigate the racial bias that may show up in community-based interventions.

Crime and Cognition

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
JACK ARBUTHNOT ◽  
DONALD A. GORDON
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Sociomoral Reasoning ◽  
Low Order

The authors first summarize briefly the results of a recent meta-analysis of community-based interventions for delinquents, pointing to the generally low-order results of such efforts. The characteristics of effective interventions are then noted. The bulk of the paper is a discussion of the theoretical basis, intervention strategy, and dissemination of an innovative and cognitively based community intervention—sociomoral reasoning development. Particular attention is given to consideration of those factors—particularly organizational ones—that facilitate the adoption of such interventions.

scholarly journals Do multiple community-based interventions on health promotion tackle health inequalities?

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Nickel ◽  
Olaf von dem Knesebeck
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Smoking Behavior ◽  
Component Community ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Previous systematic reviews of the impact of multi-component community-based health promotion interventions on reducing health inequalities by socio-economic status (SES) were restricted to physical activity and smoking behavior, and revealed limited and rather disillusioning evidence. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive review worldwide to close this gap, including a wide range of health outcomes. Methods The Pubmed and PsycINFO databases were screened for relevant articles published between January 1999 and August 2019, revealing 87 potentially eligible publications out of 2876 hits. In addition, three studies out of a prior review on the effectiveness of community-based interventions were reanalyzed under the new research question. After a systematic review process, 23 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the synthesis. Results More than half (56.5%) of the studies reported improvements of socially disadvantaged communities overall (i.e. reduced inequalities at the area level) in at least one health behavior and/or health status outcome. Amongst the remaining studies we found some beneficial effects in the most deprived sub-groups of residents (8.2%) and studies with no differences between intervention and control areas (34.8%). There was no evidence that any program under review resulted in an increase in health disparity. Conclusions Our results confirm that community-based interventions may be reducing absolute health inequalities of deprived and disadvantaged populations, but their potential so far is not fully realized. For the future, greater attention should be paid to inequalities between sub-groups within communities when analyzing changes in health inequality over time.

scholarly journals Effect of a pilot community intervention on fruit and vegetable intakes: use of FACET (Five-a-day Community Evaluation Tool)

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 671-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAL Ashfield-Watt ◽  
AA Welch ◽  
S Godward ◽  
SA Bingham
Keyword(s):  
Community Intervention ◽  
Smoking Habit ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Food Diary ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Evaluation

AbstractBackgroundIn 2001 the UK Department of Health funded pilot community-based interventions to improve fruit and vegetable intakes in five economically deprived areas of England. The effectiveness of the programme and the use of a brief tool for evaluating community interventions are reported here.MethodsData on intakes of and beliefs about fruit and vegetables were collected by a short postal questionnaire (FACET – Five-a-day Community Evaluation Tool) simultaneously from 810 individuals living in the pilot communities and 270 individuals who were participating in an unrelated observational study (controls). Data were collected before and after a 12-month intervention period. Quantitative dietary data derived from 7-day food diaries available for control subjects were used to assess the ability of the FACET questionnaire to estimate fruit and vegetable intakes.ResultsCompared with controls, the intervention group significantly increased their knowledge of the 5-a-day optimum (P < 0.01) and reported increased access to fruits and vegetables (P < 0.001). Overall, the intervention had no demonstrable effect on total fruit and vegetable intakes as measured by FACET. However, smoking habit strongly predicted change in fruit and vegetable intakes (P < 0.01) in the intervention group. Opposite trends were observed in the two groups, with ‘smokers’ and ‘non-smokers’ in the intervention and control groups respectively reducing their fruit and vegetable intakes. The FACET questionnaire agreed with food diary estimates of fruit and vegetable intakes in 56% of cases.ConclusionsCommunity-based interventions can produce important changes in knowledge of and access to fruit and vegetables. However, in this study change in fruit and vegetable intakes was strongly influenced by smoking habit. This bias needs to be considered in planning future intervention and evaluation programmes. The FACET questionnaire provides acceptable estimates of fruit and vegetable intakes which may be used for grading intake in large community-based projects.

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