Carolyn C Johnson
Director of the Tulane Prevention Research Center and Professor at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, USA
Biography
Carolyn Johnson completed her Ph.D. from the University of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. She is an endowed professor at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. She is the Director of the Tulane Prevention Research Center, Director of the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health (MCH), and Head of the academic section in MCH. She has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers in public health, nutrition, and behavioral journals, and serves on the editorial boards of at least five major journals.
Abstract
Community-based health promotion is a desirable public health action, especially in underserved minority areas. Community-wide interventions, however, can be difficult and expensive. The Movin’ for LIFE health promotion was a major research activity of the Tulane Prevention Research Center funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Methods included: a coalition of community residents, an extensive social marketing campaign, use of community health workers and program champions, community-based cooking classes, family fun, and health fair, a community-partnered 5K, and community-organized walking, dancing and yoga. Attendance data indicated that activities were well attended and well received. Outcome data are community-based, rather than individual, and consist of observations of community residents who are outside and physically active at parks and playgrounds as well as on streets and sidewalks. Additional observations at food stores are expected to show improved food offerings. Preliminary outcome data will be presented. Sustainability and dissemination are integral components of health promotion and these activities are currently underway and ongoing. Experience has shown that events need to be well received and “owned” by the community for sustainability to occur.