INCREASING HEALTHY BEHAVIORS THROUGH ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE CHANGE

Marion Terenzio PhD (Bloomfield College)(marion_terenzio@bloomfield.edu)

Patricia O’Connor PhD (The Sage Colleges)

Presented at the 2011 Hawaii Cross-Culture Health Care Conference

Honolulu, October 7, 2011

SETTING FOR CHANGE

Higher education institutions:

oPrimary mission: educationoSecondary mission: enhance quality of student life to enable learning

SETTING FOR CHANGE

Student health concerns

domain of Wellness Centers

SETTING FOR CHANGE

Current structures for health have expanded:

1.Wellness centers2.Co-curricular activities3.Academic supports

CONTEXT FOR CHANGE: NEED FOR INTERVENTIONS

Known relationships: Poor student health = decreased academic success (Von Ah et al. 2005)

Healthy students = greater capacity for involvement in educational experiences (Silverman et al. 2008)

CONTEXT FOR CHANGE Early recognition that effective

health promotion strategies should:

Take culture into account Incorporate health promotion into

curriculum (Keeling 1991)

Healthy faculty (and staff) encourage better learning environment (Silverman et al. 2008)

FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE

Higher education institutions

Changing organizational culture focus on inclusion of health concerns

FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE

BTtoP domains critical for student engagement:

1. Student mental health and well-being

2. Engaged learning3. Civic development

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OUR SETTING: BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE

Minority-serving institution Low rates of academic successFewer healthy behaviors among

students

BC STUDENTS COMPARED…

Health Domain Indicator National BCPhysical General health very good 60% 52%

Mean Body Mass Index 24.1 27.8

Psychological Diffi cult to handle finances 36% 53%Diffi cult to handle health of family member partner 19% 25%

PracticesZero days cardio/aerobic exercise 41% 56%two or fewer servings of fruit/vegetables per day 66% 84%

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THE INTERVENTION: CHANGING CULTURE

Application of BTtoP domains$2.4mil funding through PBI for

four years

THE INTERVENTION: CONTEXT

o PBI (predominantly Black institution)

o Inclusive Excellence model adopted (AAC&U 2005)

• Active efforts toward diversity• Use of scorecard to measure

achievement

PROJECT AIM

To increase healthy behaviors, developing them as life-long habits, among all BC students through a systematic change in the organizational culture of BC.

BASIC INTERVENTION PRINCIPLES

I. All student-connected units will assess the evidence of their commitment to, and implementation, of a ‘healthy habits’ perspective.

MONITORING BY

“Healthy Habits” team:

Student AffairsAcademic AffairsAcademic depts.FacultyEnrollment Mgmt

Food servicesAdvisement OfficeHuman ResourcesFinance/AdministrationEvaluator

ROLE OF HEALTHY HABITS TEAM

Address identified gapsLack of culture of healthy lifestylesLow retentionLack of optimal services and

opportunities to increase academic success

Lack of understanding of diversity in healthcare professions

Lack of technology to assist in data-driven decisions

BASIC INTERVENTION PRINCIPLES

II.Evaluation of programmatic efforts in two ways:

1.Feedback loop through process evaluations2.Outcome evaluations

PROGRAM ONE

Develop outreach plan focusing on the physical, psychosocial well being of students.

Evaluation: baseline data

PHASES IN PROGRAM ONE

1. Target first year students, transitioning from high school to college

Evaluation

2. Create outreach education program for continuing students

Evaluation

3. Develop inventory of College-wide policies and practices

Evaluation

PROGRAM TWO

Develop and implement “CHAMPS” (Coaching Health for AA Males to Promote Success) Program.

Evaluation

PROGRAM THREE

Support collaborative research opportunities for faculty and students in health related fields, focusing on enhancing the health of the entire BC community.

Evaluation

PROGRAM FOUR

Create health-focused study abroad experiences.

Evaluation

PROGRAM FIVE

Develop and implement a data-based decision-making model for “Healthy Habits” interventions.

Evaluation

PROGRAM SIX

Create a faculty development program to encourage and support faculty innovations related to “Healthy Habits” in the classroom and in their curricula, particularly enhancing student engagement.

Evaluation