Practicum Final Presentation

1. Practicum Final Presentation “Access to Free and Low-Cost Physical Activity Programs” Team: Kristina Capron, Ellen Davidson, Talar Khatchadourian, Mina Nabizada, Thea Rome, Brian Stern and Eda Tekeoglu Supervisor: Stacey Flanagan Graduate Program in International Affairs The New School May 13, 2011

2. The Project • NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) • Department of Built Environment • Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control • Increasing access to free and low-cost physical activity programs and spaces in the five highest-needs NYC neighborhoods: • North/Central Brooklyn • East/Central Harlem • South Bronx

3. Methodology • Primary research composed of surveys and interviews • Assessment of physical activity programs abroad and in NYC (including Shape-Up and walking groups) • Analysis of non-profit physical activity partnerships • Business wellness surveys • Final proposal and recommendations to NYC DOHMH

4. Active Design Guidelines Built Environment Program Active Design Guidelines: • Taking the stairs: Choosing the stairs instead of the elevator is a quick way for people to add physical activity to their day Google Image

5. The Obesity Epidemic in NYC Source: Take Care NYC Community Profile, 2006 Obesity increases the likelihood of and burden of various chronic diseases East Harlem: Almost two thirds of adults are overweight or obese Central Brooklyn: 32% of adults have high blood pressure and 26% have high cholesterol South Bronx: 1 in 4 adults (25%) is obese and almost half of adults (45%) report doing no physical activity

6. Deliverable I Comparative Analysis of Physical Activity Programs

7. Key findings: • Client requests • for Paris and • Taiwan overview International and Domestic Physical Activity Campaigns • Domestic analysis: • Little to no successful programs exist • International analysis: • Paris offers interactive campaign

8. I: Comparative Analysis of Physical Activity Programs continued • Paris • Posters promote 30 min of physical activity • Walking signs as reference for pedestrians • Physical elements not well suited for NYC high needs neighborhoods Google Image “Bouger” campaign: Signage showing walking distance

9. I: Comparative Analysis of Physical Activity Programs continued • Taiwan • Greater social marketing techniques could help promote physical activity Our conclusions • Need for greater use of signs, posters and advertisements • Caution - consider the demographics Google Image Signs in Taiwan: Walk 1000 steps

10. Deliverable II Walking Group Feasibility Case Study

11. City Life is Moving Bodies (CLIMB) Google Image Annual Hike the Heights – promotes initiative and multi-generational activities Columbia University Medical Center Community-based initiative: community health depends on safe parks and neighborhoods Since 2003, created and physically linked multi-use hiking trails, linked organizations, institutions, and the community

12. Walk it Out! At the Harlem Hospital Center • Sponsored by the NYS DOH • Comprehensive physical activity program for senior citizens residing in Harlem • Partners with Columbia University – student walking instructors • Partners with 10 senior centers in Central Harlem • High turn-out due to incentives: t-shirts, water bottles, sweatshirts, and drawstring bags Google Image “You have to make walking fun in order to motivate people” - Monique Hedmann, Walk it Out!

13. Walk NYC • Empire BCBS/City of New York Parks and Recreation • Empire BCBS: targeting blood pressure among senior citizens in all 5 boroughs • Low to no turn out reported at Thomas Jefferson Park in East Harlem – As of today, location is cancelled Team Photo of Walk NYC Flyer

14. Findings “Walking groups for seniors are difficult: Promoting health benefits is not effective” • Dr. Hernández-Cordero,CLIMB • We learned from CLIMB and Walk it Out! that incentives, promoting multi-generational activities, socializing/bonding with peers, and walking with a purpose are great motivators Google Image

15. Deliverable III Shape-Up Feasibility Study

16. III: Shape-Up Feasibility Study N= 53, 100% Female Team Photo The line for Shape-Up Zumba class outside of the East Harlem Asthma Center

17. III: Shape-Up Feasibility Study 100% of the 45-54 group say they would be interested in leading a walking group

18. III: Shape-Up Feasibility Study continued Team Photo

19. III: Shape-Up Feasibility Study continued * Dance includes all forms noted: zumba, belly, salsa, merengue

20. III: Shape-Up Feasibility Study continued • Children present: 87% • Limited time for activity: 33% • Of those, 100% would bring children to Shape-Up programs Google Image

21. Deliverable IV Nonprofit Assessment of Physical Activity Programming and Partnership

22. IV: Nonprofit Assessment of Physical Activity Programming and Partnership Google Image 6 out of 7 selectedorganizations offer physical activity programming 71%of non-profits partner with other agencies in physical activity initiatives All 7 of the organizations are interested in partnering with DOHMH in its physical activity initiatives 4 out of 7 organizations cater programming to 35-54 year olds 4 out of 7 organizations provide walking groups and group fitness classes such as Zumba and Aerobics

23. The nonprofits who are interested in partnering with the NYC DOHMH’s physical activity initiatives are willing to provide the following resources: • 5 out of 7 organizations stated they would provide space (indoor and outdoor space) • 3 out of 7 nonprofits could provide support staff (trainers and instructors) • 4 out of 7 organizations could offer funding assistance

24. Deliverable V Business Wellness Survey

25. Type of Business

26. Health Insurance Offered to Full-Time Employees

27. Business Wellness Survey continued Business Wellness Incentives: • 4% offer wellness incentives • 89% reported that their employees would take advantage of wellness incentives, if they existed Partnerships: • 52% would partner with the DOHMH • 15% have partnered with local gyms, restaurants, or other businesses

28. Deliverable VI Proposal

29. Proposal Pilot Program: East Harlem, phase into South Bronx/Brooklyn • Women, 35-54 years of age • Implemented by a community organization • Best practices: CLIMB and Walk it Out! • Incentives to facilitate turnout and community engagement

30. Proposal continued Marketing • Culturally-specific social marketing • Signage, advertising, incentives and culturally-relevant classes such as Zumba or African Dance Business Wellness • Implement employee incentives • Partner with nonprofits

31. Proposal continued Proposal reflects • Desires of DOHMH • Needs of Community Final Recommendation • Framework that is self-sustaining • Inclusion/Community partnership

32. Team Successes and Challenges

33. Successes • Challenged individual comfort zones • Outreach and direct contact with community • Community self-directed in discussing desires for programming • Successes - Personal, academic and professional • Personality Balance - Effective communication and negotiation with community stakeholders • Open Communication

34. Obstacles Focus Groups • Difficulty in organizing • Lack of resources for incentives • Qualitative data and anecdotal evidence lost • Further community contact stifled Language barrier • Languages spoken by group vs. community – Creole Scheduling conflicts • Commitment issues with DOHMH

35. Questions? Thank you for your time!