Participatory Action for Healthy Lifestyles
PI - Sally Davis
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
The University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center is developing, implementing, and evaluating an integrated multi-level model entitled Participatory Action for Healthy Lifestyles (PAHL). This prospective study will investigate the dissemination, diffusion, and utilization of a school-based nutrition and physical activity intervention—Pathways, a recently completed multi-site randomized control field trial established to address health disparities and the alarming increase in obesity and related diseases among American Indians. A participatory approach was used to develop this culturally appropriate and theory-based intervention for third, fourth, and fifth grade students and their families. The current study, PAHL, is establishing three training and technical assistance field centers—one each at the local tribal level, the state level, and the regional level. Strategic Participatory Planning Teams are being established and maintained at each level, and participate in all aspects of the participatory research process. Train-the-trainer sessions are offered for Community Action Teams to implement the Pathways program. Community Action Teams then develop participatory research action plans for disseminating Pathways in their communities. They also participate in developing a plan for evaluating the overall project. A multi-disciplinary, multi-ethnic research team is partnering with communities to develop a participatory model for dissemination and utilization that will be a useful tool for other researchers and communities trying to bridge the gap between science and practice.
Download the Project Description
« Back
Page last modified: September 28, 2006
Content source: Office of the Chief Science Officer (OCSO)
