Changing the Hearts and Minds of Policy Makers: An Exploratory Study Associated with the <i>West Virginia Walks</i> Campaign

Leyden, Kevin M.; Reger-Nash, Bill; Bauman, Adrian; Bias, Tom

doi:10.4278/ajhp.22.3.204

Cited by 16 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Our findings are consistent with previous research that has examined the prioritization of traffic issues among local policy decision makers. 14–15 For example, Dill and colleagues found that traffic congestion was an important motivation for adopting land use policies among local planning officials. 14 Furthermore, state and local policymakers assessed in Hawaii considered increased traffic an extremely important policy priority.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Municipal Officials' Involvement in Transportation Policies Supportive of Walking and Bicycling

Zwald

Eyler

Goins

et al. 2017

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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Context Local transportation policies can impact the built environment and physical activity. Municipal officials play a critical role in transportation policy and planning decisions, yet little is known about what influences their involvement. Objective To describe municipal officials’ involvement in transportation policies that were supportive of walking and bicycling and to examine individual- and job-related predictors of involvement in transportation policies among municipal officials. Design A cross-sectional survey was administered online from June-July 2012 to municipal officials in 83 urban areas with a population of 50,000 or more residents across 8 states. Participants A total of 461 municipal officials from public health, planning, transportation, public works, community and economic development, parks and recreation, city management, and municipal legislatures responded to the survey. Main Outcome Measure Participation in the development, adoption, or implementation of a municipal transportation policy supportive of walking or bicycling. Results Multivariate logistic regression analyses, conducted in September 2013, revealed that perceived importance of economic development and traffic congestion were positively associated with involvement in a municipal transportation policy (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.02–1.70; OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.26–2.01, respectively). Higher perceived resident support of local government to address economic development was associated with an increased likelihood of participation in a transportation policy (OR=1.70, 95% CI=1.24–2.32). Respondents who perceived lack of collaboration as a barrier were less likely to be involved in a transportation policy (OR=.78, 95% CI=.63–.97). Municipal officials that lived in the city or town in which they worked were significantly more likely to be involved in a transportation policy (OR=1.83, 95% CI=1.05–3.17). Conclusions Involvement in a local transportation policy by a municipal official was associated with greater perceived importance of economic development and traffic congestion in job responsibilities; greater perceived resident support of local government to address economic development; and residence of the municipal official. Lack of collaboration represented a barrier to local transportation policy participation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Municipal Officials' Involvement in Transportation Policies Supportive of Walking and Bicycling

Zwald

Eyler

Goins

et al. 2017

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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show abstract

“…8, 9 Understanding policymaker priorities and how to better target messages for this audience is critical for translating scientific findings into policy actions 10, 11 and identifying leverage points in the policy process. Previous studies have explored issues important to local policymakers that could impact obesity 12, 13 or active living 14–16 but have not addressed ways for public health professionals to strategically engage with policymakers to implement active living initiatives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Priorities of Municipal Policy Makers in Relation to Physical Activity and the Built Environment

Wang

Goins

Anatchkova

et al. 2016

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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Objective Examine policymakers’ public policy priorities related to physical activity and the built environment, identify classes of policymakers based on priorities using latent class analysis (LCA), and assess factors associated with class membership. Design Cross-sectional survey data from municipal officials in 94 cities and towns across six U.S. states were analyzed. Participants Participants (N=423) were elected or appointed municipal officials spanning public health, planning, transportation/public works, community and economic development, parks and recreation, and city management. Main Outcome Measures Participants rated the importance of 11 policy areas (public health, physical activity, obesity, economic development, livability, climate change, air quality, natural resource conservation, traffic congestion; traffic safety, and needs of vulnerable populations) in their daily job responsibilities. LCA was used to determine response patterns and identify distinct classes based on officials’ priorities. Logistic regression models assessed participant characteristics associated with class membership. Results Four classes of officials based on policy priorities emerged: 1) economic development and livability; 2) economic development and traffic concerns; 3) public health; and 4) general (all policy areas rated as highly important). Compared to class 4, officials in classes 1 and 3 were more likely to have a graduate degree; officials in class 2 were less likely to be in a public health job/department, and officials in class 3 were more likely to be in a public health job/department. Conclusions Findings can guide public health professionals in framing discussions with policymakers to maximize physical activity potential of public policy initiatives, particularly economic development.

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“…22 The use of pre-paid business reply envelopes rather than stamped envelopes may have affected our response rate. 38 It is impossible to determine if those who did respond to our survey systematically differed than those who did not as we did not ask for identifying information other than political party and appointment status.…”

Section: Manuscript In Press -Journal Of Public Health Management Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…22 A concurrent pilot study investigated the effects of the campaign on problem identification among policymakers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Kansas Legislators Prioritize Obesity but Overlook Nutrition and Physical Activity Issues

Heinrich

Stephen

Vaughan

et al. 2013

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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Changing the Hearts and Minds of Policy Makers: An Exploratory Study Associated with the West Virginia Walks Campaign

Abstract: Integrated communitywide health promotion campaigns designed to influence the public can also affect the perceptions of policy makers. Future research should examine this linkage and determine whether resource allocation and policy changes follow such interventions.

Cited by 16 publications

References 5 publications

Understanding Municipal Officials' Involvement in Transportation Policies Supportive of Walking and Bicycling

Understanding Municipal Officials' Involvement in Transportation Policies Supportive of Walking and Bicycling

Priorities of Municipal Policy Makers in Relation to Physical Activity and the Built Environment

Kansas Legislators Prioritize Obesity but Overlook Nutrition and Physical Activity Issues

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