High risk, high priority; What is the impact of targeted health promotion interventions for high risk populations? — Agentur Pty Ltd

High risk, high priority; What is the impact of targeted health promotion interventions for high risk populations? (125)

Melissa Robinson 1 , Helen Mitchell 1 , Melinda Edmunds 1 , Jenna Smedley 2
  1. Diabetes WA, Subiaco, WA, Australia
  2. City of Rockingham, Rockingham, WA, Australia

Background:

Environmental and socio-economic factors have a major role to play in increasing the risk of chronic disease in certain populations such as low SES, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI), those living with a disability and/or those unemployed. These populations can be hard to reach and usually are not well serviced by traditional health promotion interventions. Through the development of partnerships between local governments and health sectors, quality health promotion programs can be better targeted to populations at risk.

My Healthy Balance (MHB) face to face is a six week, interactive group intervention program developed and facilitated by Diabetes WA (DWA). The program focuses on creating healthy habits and long term behaviour change by utilising interactive tools and group education, and is customised to meet the varying needs of high risk and high priority groups. 

Methods:

Since mid-2013, Life at the Core, a community program coordinated by the City of Rockingham/Town of Kwinana, have engaged DWA to facilitate seven MHB programs for their high risk community members. These participants are either unemployed, living with a disability, elderly and/or ATSI.

Participants were recruited through Life at the Core (up to 15 participants per program). The program was facilitated by DWA and ran for one hour each week, over a period of six weeks. 

Results/Discussions:

Evaluation was undertaken through the use of pre and post self-complete surveys, which measured key behaviours changes and participant attitudes regarding healthy lifestyles. Evaluation results showed:

  • Significant increase in fruit and vegetable serves
  • Significant reduction in  fast food consumption
  • An average increase from 2 to 4 days per week when physical activity was undertaken
  • An average weight loss of 0.5 – 1.5kg per program

Conclusions/implications:

MHB is an established health promotion intervention with a proven track record in the general population.This partnership project demonstrates that the effectiveness and suitability of the program extends to high risk populations. 

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