CHI Tools and Resources

Evidence-base for HEAL practices and programs

A Community Intervention Reduces BMI z-score in Children: Shape Up Somerville First Year Results – May 2007 Obesity article describes the results from a community-based environmental change intervention that resulted in a decrease in BMI z-score in children at high risk for obesity.

National Academy for State Health Policy: State Approaches to Childhood Obesity

A Qualitative Exploration of Alternative Strategies for Building Community Health Partnerships: Collaboration- Versus Issue-Oriented Approaches

October 2005 Journal of Urban Health article analyzes 34 "successful" community health partnerships and their achievements.

Reports/Research Articles

City and Regional Planning: A Primer for Public Health Officials

May/June 2005 American Journal of Health Promotion outlines city and regional planning fundamentals to help public health practitioners better understand plan making and plan implementation. Includes the development project review process, as well as examples of how three local public health agencies are currently involved in planning.

Communities And Health Policy: A Pathway For Change – March/April 2005 Health

New research in Public Affairs article documents the impact of physical, social, and economic environmental factors on health: air quality, housing conditions, racism, relationship to community institutions, and neighborhood economic conditions.

Finding Trouble Spots on the Walk to School

Kaiser Permanente supports Chula Vista in helping ensure that kids can walk and bike safely to school.

Food Marketing to Children and Youth: Threat or Opportunity?

Executive Summary of the 2006 Institute of Medicine report on the impact of food and beverage marketing on the dietary patterns and health status of American children.

High School Actors Perform to Fight Childhood Obesity

As part of Kaiser Permanente's "Teens Take It On" Educational Theatre Program effort, Wheat Ridge High School student actors worked with trainers to develop skits about healthy eating and activie living, which they performed for elementary schools around Jefferson County. Other students put together commercials and an advocacy campaign they hope to share with elementary students as well.

Kaiser Permanente Institute of Health Policy "Roundtable Report" Background Paper on Obesity

Kaiser Permanente Institute of Health Policy "Roundtable Report" on Obesity

2004 Kaiser Permanente TV Turnoff Report (12/2004)

A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century

March 2005 New England Journal of Medicine article details how obesity may change the steady rise in life expectancy of the past two centuries.

Excess Deaths Associated With Underweight, Overweight, and Obesity

April 2005 Journal of the American Medical Association article links obesity with excess mortality

Data

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004

A Nation at Risk - Obesity in the United States: A Statistical Sourcebook

F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America

August 2005 report from The Trust for America's Health compiles state-by-state obesity statistics, statewide school obesity prevention policies, and examples and suggestions for interventions in schools, communities, worksites, commercial and healthcare settings.

Healthy Eating

Healthy Food, Healthy Communities

PolicyLink report outlines strategies for improving food access and opportunities in low-income communities through food retailing.

Active Living

Safe Routes To Healthy Foods Toolkit

Sponsored by California Nutrition Network and USDA to assist public health professionals and others in visioning, assessing, planning, encouraging and implementing healthy, active communities throughout California (and beyond).

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's Guidance on Four Commonly Used Methods to Increase Physical Activity

Provides guidance on brief interventions in primary care designed to increase physical activity: pedometers, exercise referral schemes, and community-based exercise programs for walking and cycling.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's Briefing on Promotion of Physical Activity Among Adults

Provides evidence-based actions for physical activity interventions that can help increase and maintain the uptake of physical activity among adults. It integrates published scientific literature with practitioner expertise and experience, including advice on how to overcome typical barriers and obstacles to effective practice.