Advancing Healthy Lifestyles:: A Multicomponent Initiative to Reduce the Burden of Obesity In Delaware

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Promotion
• Chronic Disease Prevention

Background:

• The Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) initiative was launched in January 2021 by the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH).
• It was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to address existing health burdens, particularly obesity and chronic conditions.
• The initiative builds upon recommendations from the Healthy Lifestyles Subcommittee (HLSC) of the Delaware Cancer Consortium's Cancer Risk Reduction Committee (CRRC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight completed and ongoing projects within the AHL initiative.
• To promote the use of policy, systems, and environmental change (PSE) strategies.
• To reduce obesity and chronic conditions among Delawareans across all age groups.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of policy, systems, and environmental change (PSE) strategies.
• Focus on three key areas: school, community, and workplace wellness.
• Development and execution of actionable policy recommendations.

Main Results:

• The AHL initiative has initiated various projects aimed at addressing obesity in Delaware.
• Policy recommendations have been developed for three strategic focus areas: birth to age 18, employee health and wellness, and community wellness.
• The initiative is actively working on projects within school, community, and workplace settings.

Conclusions:

• The AHL initiative is a comprehensive, statewide effort to improve healthy lifestyles in Delaware.
• PSE strategies are central to reducing obesity and chronic disease burden.
• The initiative addresses health equity by targeting diverse populations across the lifespan.