November 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 20

Community Center

Online Support for EBPs
Many resources are available to offer guidance on evidence-based practice and programs:
* The Administration on Aging (AoA) and National Council on Aging's list of EBPs
can be found via the following links: www.aoa.gov/AoA_programs/HPW/Evidence_Based/index.aspx and www.ncoa.org/improve-health/center-for-healthyaging/about-evidence-based-programs.html.
* Each division of the CDC has resources for EBPs. Physical activity program resources
can be found here: www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/strategies/community.html.
* The Arthritis Foundation offers an EBP called Walk with Ease, which is appropriate
for people with arthritis and the general population. More information is available at www.arthritis.org/we-can-help/community-programs/walk-with-ease.

In addition to implementing sound
programs that are evidence-based, rural communities are often constrained
financially from participating in continuing education where EBPs are
showcased and urban areas usually
benefit first from large grant-funded
programs focused on diffusing EBPs.
Additional education, training and
resources must be channeled to rural
communities to ensure quality health
and wellness programming. The
CDC's Understanding Evidence guide
notes that it is crucial not only to use
the best available research to design
programs, but also experiential and
contextual evidence, which are both
obtained from feedback from participants and community members. Understanding Evidence also gives suggestions of evidence-based practices that
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can serve as a model for programs.
Instead of inventing new programs to
address widespread health issues and
chronic diseases, using established,
evidence-based programs like Active
Living Every Day can improve health
and be more cost-effective overall for
communities without many resources.
Using technology such as text
messages or phone apps can also enhance social support and facilitate
self-management behaviors, such as
counting calories and physical activity, while improving program retention. Instructions for selecting and
preparing healthy foods or getting
involved with community gardens
or farmers' markets could increase
program reach, as well as provide
a community context promoting
health and well-being.

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Many communities are constrained by lack of both monetary
and human resources, as well as lack
of communication and commitment
to a common cause. Programs should
ideally involve previous program participants and others as volunteers,
increasing program capacity and creating a culture of health and activity.
Reunions and follow-up programs
such as walking clubs and water aerobics classes could also help engage
participants after the programs end.
Building a healthier and involved
community will also require the involvement of faith-based organizations, service organizations, parks
and food providers including farmers
and grocery retailers.
Getting feedback and assessing
outcomes is also critical to program
effectiveness. Rural communities
like South Town continue to struggle
with resources, activities, attrition
and adherence to EBPs, which compromise program effectiveness and
participant outcomes. Health and
social service organizations should
connect more with recreation centers
to raise awareness and increase funding, education and training in rural
areas. These steps will lead to needed program improvements, translating to better participant health outcomes.
Detailed references for this article
can be found online at www.parksandrecreation.org/2014/November/Research-Update-Evidence-Based-Programs-and-Practice.
Mary Christoph is a doctoral student in
Kinesiology and Community Health at the
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
(mchrstp2@illinois.edu). Laura Payne is an
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
in the Department of Recreation, Sport and
Tourism at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign (lpayne@illinois.edu).

November 2014 - Parks & Recreation

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