DP24-004, PRC, Core: Prevention Research Center at UMass Chan

Our overarching goal of the Prevention Research Center (PRC) at UMass Chan Medical School is to establish, disseminate and translate dissemination and implementation (D&I) prevention research evidence that builds the capacity of local health departments (LHDs) and community agencies to equitably implement evidence-based prevention interventions (EBIs) using community-engaged approaches. Located in Worcester, MA, the proposed work builds from: (1) a well-established, institutionally supported Center infrastructure, (2) a committed, multi- sector Community Advisory Board (CAB), (3) established relationships with statewide and national translation partners, and (4) D&I prevention research expertise. Our application focuses on FOA priority category #9. The EBI of focus is The Guide to Community Preventive Services (Community Guide) recommendation for built environment changes to promote physical activity (Community Design EBIs). Community Design EBIs include policies and plans that improve transportation and land use systems to promote physical activity. Aim 1 is to maintain and expand a Center infrastructure that supports D&I prevention research, partnerships, capacity building, communication, dissemination and translation activities. A multi-sector CAB and a national Dissemination and Translation Advisory Board (D-TAB) will guide all activities. Aim 2 is to conduct a community- engaged D&I Core Research Project to increase physical activity and reduce disparities in physical activity participation through community-engaged implementation of Community Design EBIs. Guided by the Interactive Systems Framework for public health implementation and informed by preliminary research, our project will test the implementation of Neighborhood Connect, which prepares LHDs to support local community design decision- makers and to work with partners to engage diverse neighborhood teams and build their capacity to: (1) Connect as a Community by fostering buy-in on the importance of the built environment for physical activity and accompanying co-benefits (e.g., traffic safety, economic development) and learning civic participation principles, (2) Connect with the Environment by conducting neighborhood audits to document and understand neighborhood built environment issues, and (3) Connect with the Policy Process by identifying and engaging with decision-making processes in their jurisdiction to promote built environment improvements. We will evaluate the Neighborhood Connect implementation strategy in a mixed methods neighborhood-level stepped-wedge design study in 8 Worcester, MA neighborhoods with the lowest rates of physical activity and whose populations are low-income, racially and ethnically diverse and experience health disparities. Neighborhood resident, implementation partner and policy/plan level outcomes will be assessed. Aim 3 is to position the PRC at UMass Chan as a valued, productive PRC Network member, deeply involved as a leader and collaborator in PRC Network research, dissemination and translation activities. We also propose to lead a new Community Design D&I Work Group to network and foster shared learning, methods and dissemination and translation activities.