Active Ottumwa (2014-2018)
PI: Baquero/Askelson
Active Ottumwa is a community wide program to support accessible, affordable, and sustainable physical activity programming for adults and to promote a healthy, positive, and vibrant Ottumwa, IA. Since 2018, Active Ottumwa has continued with leadership of Hy-Vee and local volunteers trained as Physical Activity Leaders (PALs). Listen to the Active Ottumwa Podcast!
Rural Restaurant Healthy Options Program (2007-2014)
PI: Nothwehr
The Healthy Options Program was a low-cost, low-risk intervention for rural restaurants in Iowa. Designed to increase awareness of already existing health menu options and substitutions, the program aimed to influence ordering behavior of restaurant patrons. After a successful pilot program, the program was disseminated state-wide and was adopted by 28% of target restaurants. The program is listed on the Rural Health Information Hub as an effective intervention and by CDC as a PRC tool showing evidence of effectiveness. Get the toolkit.
Ottumwa Community Health Survey (2013, 2018)
PI: Parker
In 2013, we implemented a community-wide survey in Ottumwa, IA to determine health priorities in the community. Based on the findings, we developed Active Ottumwa, a community-wide physical activity program that was our core PRC project from 2014-2018. We conducted a follow-up survey in 2018. Survey reports are available in English and Spanish and were presented in multiple community forums.
Adolescent Alcohol Working Group Keg Registration Policy Implementation (2003-2007)
PI: Nothwehr/Lowe
The PRC-RH community advisory board led this project to develop and implement a keg registration intervention which successfully led to the passage of the local ordinance in Keokuk, IA (January 7, 2004). The goal was to reduce youth access to alcohol and shift adults’ attitudes about underage drinking through the promotion of a key registration ordinance at the county level. The advisory board was awarded in 2004 the “Above and Beyond” award from then Iowa Governor, Tom Vilsack (February 2004) for making an outstanding and positive influence on the lives of Iowa children. Technical assistance and advocacy provided to the partnership by the UI PRC-RH and joint partnerships with other interested municipalities and counties in Iowa resulted in the subsequent successful passage of a statewide keg registration bill (July 2007).