marc

Youth, Health, ExtensionMarc T. BravermanProgram Leader, Extension FCD Oregon State University & Adjunct ProfessorUC Davis: 

Youth, Health, Extension Marc T. Braverman Program Leader, Extension FCD Oregon State University & Adjunct Professor UC Davis

Health promotion programs – Dimensions of program complexity: 

Health promotion programs – Dimensions of program complexity Program design Focus: From Individual to Community Multiple related outcomes Specification of predictive models

Characteristics of effective health promotion (i.e., prevention) programs: 

Characteristics of effective health promotion (i.e., prevention) programs Comprehensive Varied teaching methods Sufficient program dosage Theory-driven Positive relationships with adults and peers Appropriately timed Socioculturally relevant Incorporates outcome evaluation Well-trained staff Source: M. Nation et al. (2003). What works in prevention. American Psychologist, 58 (6-7), 449-456.

Sample components of a community-based health promotion intervention: 

Sample components of a community-based health promotion intervention Youth involvement in a participatory educational program Parental training or other involvement of parents Local media campaign (PSA’s; promotion of news coverage) Youth leadership component (incorporating youth as change agents) Advocacy for policy changes (e.g., at school) Community coalitions with local organizations and stakeholders

Contextual models of behavior change: 

Contextual models of behavior change Proximal risk and protective factors Individual attributes (e.g., vulnerability factors) Prevailing elements within multiple environments: Social environment (e.g., cultural norms) Built environment (e.g., parks, activity centers, hang-outs) Natural environment (e.g., effects of weather conditions on physical activity levels)

Categories of variables in an explanatory model: 

Categories of variables in an explanatory model Risk factors Protective factors Vulnerability factors Predisposing environmental conditions

Risk regulator :: 

Risk regulator : • A feature of the environment that imposes constraints and/or opportunities which shape behavioral risk factors A mediating structure Examples: Neighborhood conditions (housing quality, population density) Presence of parks, restaurants, etc. Work conditions, availability of jobs Policies controlling access (e.g., to cigarettes) Source: T.A. Glass & M.J. McAtee (2006). Behavioral science at the crossroads in public health. Social Science and Medicine, 62, 1650-1671

Example 1: Tobacco: 

Example 1: Tobacco Track record of educational interventions What works (so far) Explanatory models: multi-factorial

Example 1: Tobacco: 

Example 1: Tobacco Track record of educational interventions What works (so far) Explanatory models: multi-factorial Youth leadership programs: Florida’s “truth” campaign

Example 2: Obesity prevention: 

Example 2: Obesity prevention Why now? The rise of the obesogenic environment: societal, technological, industrial, commercial, & financial factors (Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness & Council on School Health, 2006) The social policy setting Components: Healthy eating + physical activity Potential risk regulators: cultural norms, availability of technology, laws and policies, national and local food environment

Where does Extension fit?: 

Where does Extension fit?

Extension’s role…: 

Extension’s role… Educational programs Youth leadership programs Promotion of professional expertise; information dissemination More generally: Applied community-based problem-solving