Funded Projects

Problem:

When compared to the rest of the U.S, Alabama's children and adolescents have more obesity, and the problem is becoming worse year over year. Healthy meals and exercise are known to contribute to healthy weight, decreased chronic disease and positive health outcomes. Yet we know that nutrition and exercise are strongly influenced by social determinants. Children from under resourced communities struggle with adequate and healthy nutrition and a built environment that is often not conducive for outdoor activities that promote exercise.

Goals and Objectives:

MAGICCity Health is a project aimed at increasing positive health behaviors in children and their family units. By the end of year 5: There will be at least 20 trained community leaders who will have the skills to conduct culturally relevant, evidence-based, nutrition and physical activity programs independently; One teacher from each grade at the local elementary school will have the skills to deliver SNAP-Ed nutrition education to students; A 25-member community board will operate independently to coordinate ongoing culturally appropriate health well-being interventions for their community.

Methodology:

We intend to use the Life Course Model with a Collective Impact focus to develop an upstream prevention program to help children establish positive health behaviors and increase their access to preventive health care. Our plan is to establish a wellness initiative in North Titusville, AL that will help children and their families learn how to incorporate healthy eating and exercise into their daily routine. We will do this by addressing food insecurity and increasing access to healthy foods with a mobile market, providing nutrition education with evidence-based weight management programs designed for minority communities from the SNAP-Ed Tool Kit, and increasing access to safe, age-appropriate physical activity through afterschool programs.

Coordination:

MAGICCity Health is a collaborative effort supported by Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, Birmingham City Schools, the Birmingham Black Nurses Association, The National Association of Hispanic Nurses Alabama Chapter, Live Health Smart Alabama®, Viva Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, Department of Nutrition Science, and School of Dental Medicine.

Evaluation:

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School rapid cycle quality improvement model will be used throughout the program. The overall program will be assessed with the Model for improvement at each monthly leadership and team meeting. Deficiencies will be discussed, and corrective actions will be taken to ensure the project remains on track. Assessment findings and corrective measures will be logged and tracked through meeting minutes.