Katie Baker, MPH November 16 th A presentation to the China- ETSU Health Education Institute COMMUNITY COALITIONS AS A MODEL FOR COMMUNICATING HEALTH RISK

 Adolescent Health  Sending messages that “work”  What to Do When You Know “What Works”  Developing a Classroom-Based Health Program for Adolescents  The Importance of State and Local Coalitions  Disseminating Your Health Program  Other Partnerships to Consider  The Advantages of Multi-Level Partnerships OVERVIEW

 Critical period of development  First time for many high-risk behaviors  Very few evidence- based programs addressing adolescent health  Parents as educators  Comprehensive, classroom-based programs ADOLESCENT HEALTH

 The “health message” is often ineffective.  We need more salient messaging.  For example, appearance damage  Health programs with multiple sessions, multiple components. LESSONS IN ADOLESCENT HEALTH

 Local Pilot Program of a Classroom-Based Program for High School Students  4 Sessions Over 4 Weeks  Module 1: Melanoma  Module 2: UV Radiation  Module 3: Sun Safety  Module 4: Appearance- Enhancing Alternatives ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM: MULTIPLE SESSIONS

 Classroom Lectures presented via PowerPoint  Newsletters (small media)  Interactive and home- based activities  Samples (i.e., sunscreen)  DVD of a melanoma survivor’s story ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAMS: MULTIPLE COMPONENTS

 Coalition is defined as ‘an action-oriented partnership with a focus on preventing or ameliorating a community problem.’  Community coalitions are a specific type of coalition defined as ‘a group of individuals representing diverse organizations, factions or constituencies within the community who agree to work together to achieve a common goal.’ ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM: DISSEMINATION THROUGH COALITION (Butterfoss & Kegler, 2002)

 Tennessee Cancer Coalition  Timeline  First committee formed in 2001  Planning grant from CDC awarded in 2003  First Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan published for 2005 – 2008  Second Plan published with ‘Burden of Cancer in TN’ document released in 2009  Currently funded by:  CDC grant administered through the Tennessee Department of Health  $250,000/year  Donations ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM: DISSEMINATION THROUGH COALITION

 Mission Statement  To measurably reduce the burden of cancer on the citizens of Tennessee by implementing health plans driven by:  Data  Science  Capacity  Outcomes TENNESSEE CANCER COALITION

 Data  Melanoma incidence rates, an “epidemic”  Epidemiological link between indoor tanning and melanoma.  Indoor tanning is most popular among older adolescent females.  Science  Salient Messaging  Capacity  “Don’t reinvent the wheel”  Outcomes  Pre- and post-intervention assessments ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM MEETS COALITION GUIDELINES

ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM: DISSEMINATION THROUGH COALITION

 Each region of the Tennessee Cancer Coalition is made up of counties.  Northeast TN = 8 counties  Each county has a Health Council.  8 counties = 8 Health Councils ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM DISSEMINATION THROUGH COALITION

 Attended 8 County Health Council meetings  Invited Council members to join the Tennessee Cancer Coalition  Offered to give each Health Council a copy of the ‘packaged’ adolescent health program  Members responsible for dissemination to adolescents in their county. ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM DISSEMINATION THROUGH COALITION

 Potential Impact in our Region:  28 High Schools; 30,000+ adolescents  Reductions in high-risk behaviors among adolescents  Improvements in overall community health  Policy changes ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM DISSEMINATION THROUGH COALITION

 Local and State Partners in Adolescent Health Program Dissemination  ETSU Skin Cancer Prevention Lab  8 County Health Councils  Health Occupations Students of America  360 Instructors; 12,000 students  Tennessee Cancer Coalition  American Cancer Society ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM DISSEMINATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

 From National Cancer Institute (NCI) Research to Reality Cyber Seminar, we know that multi-level partnerships have advantages.  Access to program participants  Legitimacy and trust  Problem and solution identification  Program development and dissemination ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAM DISSEMINATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

 More efficient use of (limited) resources  Larger community health impact  Networking, continuing education  Engaging and empowering members of the community LESSONS IN COALITION WORK

 For adolescents, focus on salient messages.  When you know what works, widely disseminate the message.  Coalitions, partnerships are key to widespread, low cost dissemination. TAKE HOME MESSAGES