Promoting Health
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Promoting Health: Strengthening Practices and Links to Community Resources
Background & Significance
During the past 30 years, the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children and youth in Illinois and the US has dramatically increased. Illinois is ranked 4th in the nation for obesity among children. Chronic illness such as obesity and type 2 diabetes are at epidemic proportions and are being diagnosed in growing numbers in pediatric patients.
The cumulative evidence demonstrates that much of the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions may be preventable through a combination of factors including access to healthy foods, opportunities for physical activity, and support for dietary and lifestyle modifications.
In 2007, ICAAP and Children’s Memorial Hospital (CMH) conducted a survey of Illinois pediatricians to assess current obesity care routines, resources, and needs when managing comorbidities of childhood overweight. Results indicate that there is a need to improve skills, particularly in screening and nutrition education, which will in turn facilitate the provision of improved obesity care. The survey results also indicate that community-based nutrition and physical activity programs for patient referrals exist locally, but that medical practices need assistance connecting patients and their families to these resources.
Project Overview
In 2009, ICAAP initiated Promoting Health: Strengthening Practices & Links to Community Resources.
The project was developed from the 2007 ICAAP study of Illinois pediatricians and a self-identified need by pediatric primary care clinicians for nutrition and patient counseling education.
The project is funded by the Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial Institute.
- The overall goal of the project is to involve pediatric practices in the Chicagoland area to work on improving the practices’ ability to manage overweight children within the practice, through screening, counseling and provision of appropriate services, as well as outside the practice through successful referral to community services.
- A number of pediatric practices located in Chicago are currently engaged in the project’s research study. Higher level intervention practices are:
- Receiving training on clinical topics and patient management strategies
- Utilizing a practice staff member to serve as a practice community coordinator to work with patients/families to access community resources
- Initiating practice quality improvement processes with the support of ongoing facilitation by ICAAP.
- ICAAP project research partner CMH is conducting evaluations at the practice level assessing multiple factors, such as changes in care delivery and the practice’s ability to connect families with nutrition and physical activity programs. The study will also assess barriers to participation from family and community perspectives and the characteristics, resources, and program offerings of community organizations that provide nutrition and physical activity programs in Chicago.
- In 2010, the project is offering a series of educational modules to help clinicians prevent and manage obesity in primary care. The modules will cover nutrition, health behaviors, and comorbidities. Additionally, the project and CMH are sponsoring health behavior change training. Other project components will include widespread promotion of available community resources and tools to Chicago primary care providers.
For further information about the Promoting Health project and its educational offerings, please contact:
Mary Elsner, JD
Director, Obesity Prevention Projects
1400 W. Hubbard, Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312/733-1026, ext 220
Fax: 312/733-1791
melsner@illinoisaap.com
