Sustainability Planning for a Community Network to Increase Participation in Evidence-Based Lifestyle Change Programs: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Maura M. Kepper (), Katherine A. Stamatakis, Ariel Deitch, Ally Terhaar, Emerald Gates, Gabrielle Cole, Carolyn S. French, Amy Hampton, Lauren Anderson and Amy A. Eyler
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Maura M. Kepper: Prevention Research Center, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Katherine A. Stamatakis: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
Ariel Deitch: Prevention Research Center, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Ally Terhaar: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
Emerald Gates: St. Louis County Department of Public Health, St. Louis, MO 63134, USA
Gabrielle Cole: Fit and Food Connection, St. Louis, MO 63136, USA
Carolyn S. French: Gateway Region YMCA, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
Amy Hampton: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Cancer and Chronic Disease Prevention, Jefferson City, MO 65109, USA
Lauren Anderson: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
Amy A. Eyler: Prevention Research Center, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: Community-based chronic disease prevention programs can have long-term, broad public health benefits. Yet, only 40 to 60% of evidence-based health programs are sustained. Using established frameworks and evidence-based tools to characterize sustainability allows programs to develop structures and processes to leverage resources effectively to sustain effective program activities and systems. This study used a mixed-methods, partner-engaged approach to identify barriers and facilitators to sustaining a community network (the Alliance program) aimed to increase participation in evidence-based lifestyle change programs delivered in the community. Surveys and qualitative interviews were conducted with the Alliance partners based on the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Overall, partners felt Alliance had a high capacity for sustainability. Strategic planning, communication, and partnerships were areas partners prioritized to improve the potential for sustaining the program. Results informed the co-development of a sustainability action plan. This paper furthers our understanding of factors critical for the sustainability of community-based programs for chronic disease prevention and health equity and presents a process for developing action plans to build sustainability capacity.

Keywords: sustainability; community; chronic disease prevention; lifestyle change programs; mixed methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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