Tools for Environmental Health Officers:

Using Multi-level Interventions to Affect Behavior Change

LTJG Katie BurbageTanana Chiefs ConferenceFairbanks, Alaska

Environmental Health and Behavior Change

Health Promotion

“the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve their health.”- World Health Organization

“the science and art of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health.”- American Journal of Health Promotion

Multi-level Interventions

Interventions with at least three levels of influence

Higher-impact

Greater potential for successful behavior change

Individual Level of Influence

Knowledge, attitudes, skills

The individual is essential to behavior change

More effective when based on theory Health Belief Model Transtheoretical Model

Interpersonal Level of Influence

Family, friends, social networks

Broad applicability in Environmental Health

Very relevant today

Community Level of Influence

Groups & organizations

Community organizing & building

Marketing

Well suited for multi-level interventions

Multi-level interventions in Environmental Health

Good fit for environmental health

Higher impact than single level interventions alone

Greater potential for success

Strengths & limitations of multi-level interventions

Budget

Time constraints

Approach not culturally appropriate

Driving force not supportive of multi-level interventions

Lack skills required

Resources Written materials & the web

Your partners

CHES

Become HP “minded”

Multi-level interventions can create a pathway for successful behavior change programs

Credits

All photos property of Katie Burbage with the exception of:

Slide 5 photograph of Rachel Goldberger, property of Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC)Slide 7 photograph of whaling crew, property of Hillary Strayer, ANTHC Injury Prevention programSlide 8 photograph of LT Erin Harman, ATSDR, Region 7