Join NACCHO, in partnership with the CDC’s Prevention Research Center, in this webinar series shining a spotlight on various Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage chronic diseases. The series will provide tactics for implementing recommended strategies and translate research findings into actionable policies and practices in local public health.
Over the course of this webinar series, a description of the PRC and list of tools and resources will be provided below.
University of Iowa Prevention Research Center for Rural Health – Active Iowa
The University of Iowa PRC provided an in-depth look at the implementation to the Active Iowa pilot project, Active Ottumwa, which resulted in a significant community-wide increase in physical activity. These initiatives were developed through principals of Community Engaged Research and Community-Based Participatory Research and materials have been translated to further expand implementation across micropolitan communities. Click on the links below for direct access to the materials developed, as well as the slides and recording of the webinar.
Contact Information
Becky Bucklin, MPH
Research Manager
[email protected]
Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health collaborated with the Boston Public Health Commission to identify a playbook of strategies to improve nutrition and physical activity environments, reduce excess weight gain, and study how cost-effectiveness metrics can be used to inform decision-making. Speakers highlighted the resources and tools developed that can be used to prioritize and plan prevention strategies with local partners. They also discussed strategies to tailor research projects to build community partnerships for future prevention activities. Check out the links below to view the webinar recording, slides and access the materials shared.
CHOICES and PRC websites:
- Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Focuses on developing and promoting effective strategies to improve nutrition and physical activity, prevent chronic diseases, and advance health equity.
- CHOICES Project: Aims to identify and promote cost-effective strategies to prevent childhood obesity and improve public health.
- Action Kit along with relevant strategy reports and strategy profiles:
- CHOICES National Action Kit 2.0: Provides tools and resources to help communities implement evidence-based strategies for preventing childhood obesity.
- CHOICES Strategy Reports: Detailed reports on various strategies evaluated for their cost-effectiveness in preventing obesity.
- CHOICES Strategy Profiles: Summaries of specific strategies, highlighting their implementation and impact.
- CoP and activities such as the Coffee Chats:
- Register to become a member of the CHOICES Community of Practice & join our online portal: Invitation to join a community focused on sharing best practices and resources for obesity prevention.
- Browse our library of coffee chats & resource round-ups: Access a collection of informal discussions and summaries of resources related to obesity prevention.
- Resource sections of the websites:
- Browse the CHOICES Project’s Resource Library: Comprehensive library of resources related to the CHOICES Project’s strategies and findings.
- Browse resources by priority area on the Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity’s website: Resources categorized by priority areas such as diet, physical activity, and health equity.
- BPHC Strategy Portfolio: Detailed portfolio of strategies implemented by the Boston Public Health Commission to address health disparities and promote healthy living.
- Follow the CHOICES Project on LinkedIn
Contact Information
Angie Cradock, PhD
Principal Research Scientist
[email protected]
Collaborating with Local Health Departments to Adapt and Implement the Med-South Lifestyle Program
The Prevention Research Center at the University of North Carolina Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention collaborated with Lenoir County Health Department to implement an innovative adaptation of the Mediterranean diet, the Med-South Lifestyle Program, tailored for the southeastern United States. The Med-South Lifestyle Program blends a Mediterranean style of eating with traditional Southern food culture as well as lifestyle behavior change for chronic disease risk reduction. On June 25, 2024, invited speakers highlighted the impact of the program as well as the tools and resources developed that can be used to implement across multiple settings, including communities with limited resources. Check out the links below to view the webinar recording, slides and access the materials shared.
PRC at UNC links to tools and resources:
- History of the Med-South Lifestyle Program: Outline of the evolution of the Med-South Lifestyle Program, including the program’s development, starting with initial research on dietary patterns and chronic disease prevention. Learn more about the foundation, adaptation, implementation, and research findings.
- Program Materials: Visit this webpage for details on how to request and access materials, including guides for individuals participating in the program, recipes that integrate Mediterranean and Southern dietary traditions, and promotional materials.
Contact Information
Carmen Samuel-Hodge, PhD, MS, RD
Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
[email protected]
