Feb. 13, 2013, Policy Workgroup Meeting Summary (PDF)

in today’s strategic focus area of Evidence-Based Quality Clinical and PreventiveServices (See handout).The group endorsed the Parks Prescription recommendation. During the discussion itwas pointed out that there would be need for active advocacy to make parks in the 15zip codes more attractive and safe; some parks require reconstruction of their facilities(amenities). Culturally, some groups view running or walking in parks as a yuppieactivity, in order to make use of the parks for exercise we need to develop culturallyappropriate activities and opportunities for park use.Regarding the Chronic Disease Self Management program, the group also endorsedthis policy recommendation. They saw this as an opportunity to develop leadership inthe zip codes of interest, but there was concern about how many people would actuallybe impacted by the six-week course. The group felt that smoking cessation should beaddressed either as an add-on or as a referral before or after the classes. It was alsoexpressed that there could be synergy if the program were expanded to all the hospitalsystems and it became a standard of care to refer patients with chronic diseases,especially hypertension and high cholesterol, to this program. The program is alreadyimplemented in this community in Spanish and could be translated into 25 languages;but we would need at least two people who speak the language to be trained and leadthe classes.Currently Dignity Health pays a small stipend of $300 for community leaders who teachthese classes. The group mentioned that resources would need to be found to keep thisgoing, as the precedent has been set. It was pointed out that many of the communityleaders are very motivated to teach, as many have struggled with chronic disease andwant to give back to the community.The group also endorsed the Right Care Initiative policy recommendations, but therewas more discussion here about how a community coalition could influence medicalpractice. Ultimately the consensus was that the Coalition and its Leadership team couldsupport the activities of the Right Care Initiative through communication with thecommunity regarding the initiatives to include a pharmacist in the care team and thebundled medications to address the risk factors for stroke, and also educatingcommunity members to ask their physicians if they participate in these evidence-basedpractices.Finalize Policies to Recommend to the Healthy Sacramento CoalitionBelow are the policies as endorsed by the Policy Workgroup:1. Decrease cholesterol and high blood pressure through exercise and healthyeating.a. County Regional Parks and City of Sacramento Parks Departments willwork with the other Park Agencies and the Medical community to increasethe use of parks in the 15 zip codes of interest through implementation ofthe Parks Prescription program.The Healthy Sacramento Coalition is made possible by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.