This quarter, we published a new research brief from our Massachusetts-CHOICES Core Research project highlighting an evidence-based intervention. We also updated and relaunched our OSNAP website, published a variety of new resources and peer-reviewed publications, and selected our fall 2023 Leaders in Health cohort. Below we highlight some accomplishments within the four key areas in which our Center is focused. Learn more about our Center aims here.
Collaborate with Partners to Identify Evidence-Based Interventions
Partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission Focuses on Creating Healthier Afterschool Environments in Boston, MA
The HPRC completed its fourth year of its core research project, the Massachusetts-CHOICES Project, which collaborates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of strategies to promote healthy eating, active living, prevent excess weight gain, and improve health equity. Year 4 focused on disseminating project findings to key audiences to inform future project planning and prioritization.
A key highlight from our work with the BPHC was the publication of a new research brief. The brief shares the findings of the potential health and cost impacts of an afterschool initiative to promote healthy eating and physical activity among Boston youth. The Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) Initiative is an evidence-based strategy that helps afterschool programs create environments that promote increased physical activity and consumption of healthy snacks. The BPHC selected to model the cost-effectiveness of this strategy to inform their project and resource planning.
See the research brief for more details!
The BPHC team will be presenting a poster about this work at the 2023 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA in November – learn more here.
Promote Healthy Weight, Nutrition, Physical Activity, & Health Equity
Promoting Nutrition & Physical Activity Afterschool: Announcing the New OSNAP.org!
The team at the Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity is excited to announce the newly refreshed OSNAP.org, a site dedicated to sharing resources for creating healthier out-of-school time spaces for kids.
The Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP) is an evidence-based initiative that helps out-of-school time programs improve policies and practices to help kids move more and eat healthier snacks. OSNAP focuses on six nutrition and physical activity goals and provides training, tools, and resources to help programs make sustainable changes to promote increased physical activity and consumption of healthy snacks.
This past summer, the team at the Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health refreshed the look, feel, and functionality of the OSNAP website to better support afterschool leaders who are looking for resources and training materials to assess and improve the quality of their programs. The site houses OSNAP resources and curriculum and this revamp will make it easier for users to find the resources they need to promote healthy behaviors for kids in afterschool programs. The new site’s Resource Library includes tip sheets, training materials, and more.
Offer Resources & Training Opportunities
New Resources
We are always working to share new resources, tools, and peer-reviewed publications that align with our Center’s Priority Areas. This quarter, we published the following:
New OSNAP.org
The Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP) is an evidence-based initiative that helps out-of-school time programs improve policies and practices to help kids move more and eat healthier snacks. This quarter, we refreshed the look, feel, and functionality of the OSNAP website to better support afterschool leaders who are looking for resources and training materials to assess and improve the quality of their programs. See it now!
Introducing: The CHOICES Project Resource Library
The CHOICES Project offers a variety of resources and tools to support planning and prioritization of evidence-based, cost-effective policies and programs to help kids move more and eat healthy. With this new library, users can now search more easily for resources by filtering by resource type, setting, and topic area. You can also login to the CHOICES Community of Practice online portal or register to join to access exclusive Community of Practice resources. Explore now!
Boston, MA: Creating Healthier Afterschool Environments (OSNAP)
This research brief summarizes a CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership model examining the implementation of the Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) initiative that helps afterschool programs improve practices and policies that increase physical activity and consumption of healthy snacks.
New Strategy Profiles
Our CHOICES strategy profiles describe the estimated benefits, activities, resources, and leadership needed to implement a strategy to improve child health. This information can be useful for planning and prioritization purposes. This quarter, we published eight new profiles.
Build Capacity for Conducting Community-Engaged Research
Leaders in Health Announces Its Fall 2023 Cohort
We’re excited to hold our 11th cohort of Leaders in Health this fall, including 10 participants representing a broad range of organizations from throughout the state of Massachusetts.
This fall kicks off our 11th cohort of Leaders in Health, our community training program that helps build the capacity of our community partners by providing participants with an introduction to public health, including the fundamentals of community-based participatory research and program design and evaluation. Ten participants from throughout the state of Massachusetts will be joining, representing organizations that focus on a range of topics, including oral health, mental health, nutrition and physical activity, and others. The program this fall will take place from September through November, spanning eight weeks, featuring a hybrid approach of virtual and in-person learning sessions.
See past participants and presentations and learn more about our Leaders in Health program here!