P4.005 From Policy to Practice: Utilizing a Health in All Policies Approach to Enhance Public Health and Promote Sexual Health in Communities Affected by Structural Change and Redevelopment. (13th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, S P; Kroeger, K; Avey, H; Fuller, E; Branscomb, J; Wong, N
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted infections. Volume 89(2013)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A290
• Page End: A290
• Publication Date: 2013-07-13
• Subjects: Health in All Policies -- Redevelopment -- sexual health; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0904
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4973

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The international framework, Health in All Policies (HiAP), can operationalize approaches to enhancing health by strengthening links between health and policies from non-health sectors (i.e. transportation, land use). Redevelopment can stimulate changes in SDs and health outcomes. From 2010 onward, contiguous projects examined the how structural changes can affect health outcomes and STIs in an area with high STI morbidity. Methods: Fort McPherson, a 488-acre military base in Georgia that closed in 2011, served as the case study. Participatory and community engagement approaches included Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Photovoice, and community ethnographic assessment. First, the inclusion of health as a policy consideration in redevelopment was operationalized and a land zoning HIA was conducted. Project two determined what data, local policy, and sexual health opportunities existed in the "healthy community" conceptualization. Finally, we assessed community and provider perspectives about sexual health services and the potential impact of redevelopment on services. Results: The HIA yielded recommendations that addressed physical changes that would support the adoption of healthy choices, and facilitate social capital and cohesion. Photovoice helped residents recognise community assets that are threatened by SDs. Interactive area maps confirmed comorbidities of SDs and STIs. The ethnographic assessment identified service gaps and community members' perceptions of SD impacts, and recommendations of how community and sexual health can be improved. Conclusions: The projects demonstrated how HiAP can be operationalized to examine SD and health outcomes. Aggregated results determined that: (1) there are discrete "windows of opportunity" for incorporating health considerations into redevelopment decision-making; (2) the use of community and participatory engagement approaches can facilitate the systematic and now longitudinal observation of changing SD impact on STIs, and (3) community-identified assets and policy opportunities can potentially mitigate SD's impact on health.