Formative Evaluation of AARP's Active for Life ® Campaign to Improve Walking and Bicycling Environments in Two Cities

AARP conducted a 2.5-year social-marketing campaign to improve physical activity levels among older adults in Richmond, Virginia and Madison, Wisconsin. This article presents formative evaluation findings from the campaign's policy/environmental change component. Evaluation data were abstracted...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health promotion practice 2007-10, Vol.8 (4), p.403-414
Main Authors: Emery, James, Crump, Carolyn, Hawkins, Margaret
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bicycling
Elderly people
Environment Design
Environmental change
Exercise
Health Policy
Health promotion
Health Promotion - methods
Health Promotion - organization & administration
Humans
Older people
Physical activity
Social Marketing
United States
Urban Population
Walking
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Summary:AARP conducted a 2.5-year social-marketing campaign to improve physical activity levels among older adults in Richmond, Virginia and Madison, Wisconsin. This article presents formative evaluation findings from the campaign's policy/environmental change component. Evaluation data were abstracted from technical-assistance documentation and telephone interviews. Results include 11 policy and 14 environmental changes attained or in-process by campaign closure. Differences between the cities' results are explained through differences in program implementation (e.g., types of changes planned, formalization of partnerships). Project teams took less time deciding to pursue policy change than environmental change; however, planning the policy activities took longer than planning environmental-change activities. Recommendations for future policy/environmental change interventions focus on the selection of strategies; planning for administrative resources; formalizing partnerships to ensure sustainability of impact; ensuring training and technical assistance; and documenting progress. Similar intervention results may be attainable with a multi-year timeframe, adequate part-time coordination, and committed volunteers.
ISSN:1524-8399
1552-6372
DOI:10.1177/1524839906292179