PRC Core Research Project

2019-2024
The purpose of the Core Research Project is to develop and disseminate approaches that will increase the use of effective policies at the local-level to reduce obesity disparities and promote health equity.
Project Goals
- Describe the prevalence of effective policies addressing obesity and factors influencing the policy process at the local-level in a sample of communities experiencing obesity disparities
- Identify the most important local-level policies for health equity
- Assess different versions of a policy brief (text-based, risk framing, narrative, and risk framing + narrative) for translation of research about effective policies to address obesity among local policymakers
- Evaluate the impact of strategies (community stakeholder-informed, and social network-informed) on local policy processes for obesity prevention and health equity in a sample of communities
Implications for Research and Practice
This project will help to better define the local policy process, content, and outcomes, which are fundamental to use of effective policies and poorly understood.
Our project will impact the field by enhancing abilities to: (1) measure implementation of evidence-based policies, (2) understand communication and network drivers in the local policy process, and (3) accelerate the translation of effective policies to local public health policy and practice, thus promoting health equity.
Project Contact
Renee Parks, renee.parks@wustl.edu
Project Staff
Principal Investigator: Ross C. Brownson, PhD
Co-Investigators: Elizabeth Dodson, PhD, MPH; Amy Eyler, PhD; Debra Haire-Joshu, PhD; Rebekah Jacob, MPH, MSW; Alex Morshed, PhD, MS; Mary Politi, PhD; Rachel Tabak, PhD, RD; Ian Thomas, PhD; Yan Yan, MD, PhD; Fanice Thomas, PhD and Edward Tsai, PhD, MPH
Research Assistants: Breana Wayne and Masoomeh Faghankhani, MD
Project Manager: Renee Parks, MS
Project Partners
PRC Community Advisory Board
Funding Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): U48DP006395