Lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiative
Stair climbing is a readily available form of vigorous-intensity physical activity. Evidence indicates that placing stair prompt signs at points-of-decision (e.g. near elevators and stairways) is an inexpensive, effective strategy for increasing physical activity through stair use.This article aims...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2019-03-01
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| Series: | Preventive Medicine Reports |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335518302870 |
| _version_ | 1828182230159065088 |
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| author | Karen K. Lee Lawrence Loh Johnny Adamic Ashley Perry Rachel Sacks Kevin Lam Steven Tong Sarah Wolf |
| author_facet | Karen K. Lee Lawrence Loh Johnny Adamic Ashley Perry Rachel Sacks Kevin Lam Steven Tong Sarah Wolf |
| author_sort | Karen K. Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Stair climbing is a readily available form of vigorous-intensity physical activity. Evidence indicates that placing stair prompt signs at points-of-decision (e.g. near elevators and stairways) is an inexpensive, effective strategy for increasing physical activity through stair use.This article aims to share the experience of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) in the outreach and implementation of a population-scale stair prompt initiative, including lessons learned from process evaluations, with other public health authorities conducting a similar program. Between May 2008 and August 2012, NYC DOHMH implemented a stair prompt initiative as one strategy in a comprehensive program to increase physical activity and healthy eating through physical improvements to NYC's buildings, streets and neighborhoods, particularly targeting facilities in underserved and low-income neighborhoods. Program evaluation was conducted using program planning documents to examine the process, and data from NYC information line call center, outreach tracking database, and site and phone audits to examine process outcomes.The initiative successfully distributed more than 30,000 stair prompts to building owners/managers of over 1000 buildings. Keys to success included multi-sector partnerships between NYC's Health Department and non-health government agencies and organizations (such as architecture and real estate organizations), a designated outreach coordinator, and outreach strategies targeting building owners/managers owning/managing multiple buildings and buildings serving underserved and at risk populations.A NYC citywide initiative successfully distributed stair prompts to the wider community to promote population-level health impacts; lessons learned may assist other jurisdictions considering similar initiatives to increase physical activity. Keywords: Obesity, Physical activity, Urban health, Program evaluation, City planning, Chronic disease, Prevention |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:14:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-83e8560d770a4d87a279bc9404b4246c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2211-3355 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:14:59Z |
| publishDate | 2019-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Preventive Medicine Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-83e8560d770a4d87a279bc9404b4246c2022-12-22T03:44:32ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552019-03-0113218223Lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiativeKaren K. Lee0Lawrence Loh1Johnny Adamic2Ashley Perry3Rachel Sacks4Kevin Lam5Steven Tong6Sarah Wolf7Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Corresponding author at: Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 5-30 University Terrace, 8303-112 St, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2T4, Canada.Region of Peel – Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaNew York, NY, USAPremier Healthcare Alliance, Washington, DC, USANew York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NY, NY, USASchool of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, CanadaFaculty of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, CanadaNew York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NY, NY, USAStair climbing is a readily available form of vigorous-intensity physical activity. Evidence indicates that placing stair prompt signs at points-of-decision (e.g. near elevators and stairways) is an inexpensive, effective strategy for increasing physical activity through stair use.This article aims to share the experience of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) in the outreach and implementation of a population-scale stair prompt initiative, including lessons learned from process evaluations, with other public health authorities conducting a similar program. Between May 2008 and August 2012, NYC DOHMH implemented a stair prompt initiative as one strategy in a comprehensive program to increase physical activity and healthy eating through physical improvements to NYC's buildings, streets and neighborhoods, particularly targeting facilities in underserved and low-income neighborhoods. Program evaluation was conducted using program planning documents to examine the process, and data from NYC information line call center, outreach tracking database, and site and phone audits to examine process outcomes.The initiative successfully distributed more than 30,000 stair prompts to building owners/managers of over 1000 buildings. Keys to success included multi-sector partnerships between NYC's Health Department and non-health government agencies and organizations (such as architecture and real estate organizations), a designated outreach coordinator, and outreach strategies targeting building owners/managers owning/managing multiple buildings and buildings serving underserved and at risk populations.A NYC citywide initiative successfully distributed stair prompts to the wider community to promote population-level health impacts; lessons learned may assist other jurisdictions considering similar initiatives to increase physical activity. Keywords: Obesity, Physical activity, Urban health, Program evaluation, City planning, Chronic disease, Preventionhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335518302870 |
| spellingShingle | Karen K. Lee Lawrence Loh Johnny Adamic Ashley Perry Rachel Sacks Kevin Lam Steven Tong Sarah Wolf Lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiative Preventive Medicine Reports |
| title | Lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiative |
| title_full | Lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiative |
| title_fullStr | Lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiative |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiative |
| title_short | Lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiative |
| title_sort | lessons learned from the development and implementation of a citywide stair prompt initiative |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335518302870 |
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