Systems science for developing policy to improve physical activity, the Caribbean.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Systems Science
• Health Promotion

Background:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity emphasizes a systems approach for context-specific interventions.
• Increasing physical inactivity is a significant public health concern in the Caribbean region, necessitating tailored strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a causal loop diagram (CLD) describing the drivers of physical inactivity in the Caribbean.
• To adapt the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity to the local Caribbean context using systems thinking.
• To identify effective intervention points within the identified system for promoting physical activity.

Main Methods:

• Conducted group model-building workshops with key stakeholders in the Caribbean.
• Developed a causal loop diagram to visualize the system dynamics of physical inactivity.
• Utilized the CLD to inform the adaptation of global physical activity recommendations.

Main Results:

• The CLD illustrated the importance of local context in coordinating and implementing physical activity interventions.
• Identified specific interventions such as creating safe activity spaces, addressing negative attitudes, and improving active transport infrastructure.
• Demonstrated alignment between WHO recommendations and the CLD, highlighting the need for contextual adaptation.

Conclusions:

• Systems thinking, when applied with stakeholders, facilitates the targeted adaptation of global health recommendations to local contexts.
• The CLD serves as a valuable tool for understanding policy impacts and coordinating interventions in resource-limited settings.
• Context-specific interventions are crucial for effectively addressing physical inactivity in regions like the Caribbean.