Katie Baker, MPH

November 16 t h

A presentation to the China-ETSU Health Education Institute

COMMUNITY COALITIONS AS A

MODEL FOR COMMUNICATING

HEALTH RISK

Adolescent Health Sending messages that “work”

What to Do When You Know “What Works” Developing a Classroom-Based Health Program for

AdolescentsThe Importance of State and Local Coalitions

Disseminating Your Health ProgramOther Partnerships to Consider

The Advantages of Multi-Level Partnerships

OVERVIEW

Critical period of development

First time for many high-risk behaviors

Very few evidence-based programs addressing adolescent healthParents as educatorsComprehensive, classroom-based programs

ADOLESCENT HEALTH

The “health message” is often ineffective.

We need more salient messaging.For example, appearance damage

Health programs with multiple sessions, multiple components.

LESSONS IN ADOLESCENT HEALTH

Local Pilot Program of a Classroom-Based Program for High School Students

4 Sessions Over 4 Weeks Module 1: Melanoma Module 2: UV Radiation Module 3: Sun Safety Module 4: Appearance-

Enhancing Alternatives

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM:MULTIPLE SESSIONS

Classroom Lectures presented via PowerPoint

Newsletters (small media)

Interactive and home-based activities

Samples (i.e., sunscreen)

DVD of a melanoma survivor’s story

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAMS: MULTIPLE COMPONENTS

Coalition is defined as ‘an action-oriented partnership with a focus on preventing or ameliorating a community problem.’

Community coalitions are a specific type of coalition defined as ‘a group of individuals representing diverse organizations, factions or constituencies within the community who agree to work together to achieve a common goal.’

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM: DISSEMINATION THROUGH

COALITION

(Butterfoss & Kegler, 2002)

Tennessee Cancer Coalition Timeline

First committee formed in 2001 Planning grant from CDC awarded in 2003 First Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan published

for 2005 – 2008 Second Plan published with ‘Burden of Cancer in TN’

document released in 2009 Currently funded by:

CDC grant administered through the Tennessee Department of Health $250,000/year

Donations

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM: DISSEMINATION THROUGH

COALITION

Mission StatementTo measurably reduce the burden of cancer on the citizens of Tennessee by implementing health plans driven by: Data Science Capacity Outcomes

TENNESSEE CANCER COALITION

Data Melanoma incidence rates,

an “epidemic” Epidemiological link

between indoor tanning and melanoma.

Indoor tanning is most popular among older adolescent females.

Science Salient Messaging

Capacity “Don’t reinvent the wheel”

Outcomes Pre- and post-intervention

assessments

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAMMEETS COALITION GUIDELINES

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM:DISSEMINATION THROUGH

COALITION

Each region of the Tennessee Cancer Coalition is made up of counties.Northeast TN = 8 counties

Each county has a Health Council.8 counties = 8 Health Councils

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAMDISSEMINATION THROUGH

COALITION

Attended 8 County Health Council meetings

Invited Council members to join the Tennessee Cancer Coalition

Offered to give each Health Council a copy of the ‘packaged’ adolescent health program Members responsible for

dissemination to adolescents in their county.

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAMDISSEMINATION THROUGH

COALITION

Potential Impact in our Region:28 High Schools; 30,000+ adolescents

Reductions in high-risk behaviors among adolescents

Improvements in overall community health

Policy changes

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM DISSEMINATION THROUGH

COALITION

Local and State Partners in Adolescent Health Program Dissemination ETSU Skin Cancer

Prevention Lab 8 County Health Councils Health Occupations

Students of America 360 Instructors; 12,000

students

Tennessee Cancer Coalition

American Cancer Society

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM DISSEMINATION THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP

From National Cancer Institute (NCI) Research to Reality Cyber Seminar, we know that multi-level partnerships have advantages. Access to program

participants Legitimacy and trust Problem and solution

identification Program development

and dissemination

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM DISSEMINATION THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP

More effi cient use of (limited) resources

Larger community health impact

Networking, continuing education

Engaging and empowering members of the community

LESSONS IN COALITION WORK

For adolescents, focus on salient messages.

When you know what works, widely disseminate the message.

Coalitions, partnerships are key to widespread, low cost dissemination.

TAKE HOME MESSAGES