Key Evaluation Findings FY19-23

• Grantees worked on 97 built environment policy, system, and environmental (PSE)  changes.
• A new micro grants program funded 278 community projects.
• PSE changes were made to over 20 schools including: 
  • constructing pedestrian crossings
  • increasing crossing guard jurisdictions
  • building ADA-compliant sidewalks
  • replacing important safety signage
  • loading zone enhancements for arrival and dismissal traffic
  • murals for beautification and to encourage slower driving speeds
  • collaboration with Safe Routes to School and Vision Zero 
     

Extended breastfeeding-friendly policies across Colorado engaged a total of 645 sites

• 479 new sites provided designated lactation space or enhanced existing space.
• 449 new sites adopted a policy supporting dedicated time and space for breastfeeding.
• 404 sites were recognized as breastfeeding-friendly (certified or recertified).

Built community capacity through education and training

• 107 new Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC) and 29 new Certified Lactation Educators (CLE).
• Assisted 150 people to obtain additional training in breastfeeding support.
• Distributed $150,000 in micro-grants for 92 community lactation projects to support advocacy efforts and community events such as the Regional Lactation Days.

• Over the grant cycle, the Colorado Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) worked with 100 participating sites to train and register Patient Navigators (PN).
• 43 navigators were added to the registry.
• 17,614 patients received health navigation services.
• 13,137 patients were screened.
• CCSP’s patient navigation work supported Medicaid reimbursement for PN services (Senate ill 23-002).

Community Heart Health Action for Latinos at Risk (CHARLAR)

• 247 participants (87.6%) improved at least one of four chronic risk factors:
  • blood glucose
  • blood pressure
  • weight
  • body mass index (BMI))
• Among the 65 CHARLAR participants with a diabetes diagnosis:
  • 43% were also able to reduce their blood sugar. 

Colorado Heart Healthy Solutions (CHHS) 

• 1,189 (over 90%) who completed the CHHS program improved at least one of five chronic risk factors:
  • blood pressure,
  • blood glucose
  • cholesterol
  • weight
  • BMI
• 51% of CHHS participants with a diabetes diagnosis (n=393) were also able to reduce their blood sugar levels (n=202).

• 693 people with diabetes in seven counties enrolled in a DSMES program to improve their diabetes management
  • Among participants with a follow-up measure: 
    • The average A1C (blood sugar testing) decreased 15% from 8.5 to 7.2.
    • 90% of participants at higher risk for uncontrolled diabetes (A1C >9) were able to reduce their A1C to 9 or below.

Persistent asthma is defined as experiencing symptoms of asthma more than two times per week and admission to the emergency department (ED) or hospital for asthma in the past 12 months.

• 218 children with a diagnosis of persistent asthma, and their families were enrolled in the HBAM program across five urban counties.
• 190 (87%) of those enrolled had at least one home visit.
• 128 (67%) of those enrolled completed at least five home visits.

• Passed 14 policies focused on decreasing the consumption of sugary drinks, and strengthening and supporting food access and networks.
• Distributed $494,962.49 to community projects.
• 109 work sites in 21 cities passed healthy-meeting policies and amended vending machines to increase access to healthy and fresh foods. 
  • These changes impacted more than 80,000 employees.

• Grantees educated and trained providers and clinical staff, optimized clinic workflows and electronic healthcare systems to support HPV vaccinations and/or facilitated vaccinations among clinic patients:
  • Worked with 48 clinics in five healthcare systems, serving patients from 16 counties.
  • Trained 124 providers.
  • Provided health navigation to 2,283 patients. 
• Grantees provided outreach and education to Colorado youth and families about the importance of the HPV vaccine:
  • 3,784 eligible youth initiated and completed the HPV vaccine series during the grant cycle.

• Created and later revised a model collaborative practice agreement for pharmacists that reduces barriers to patient/ pharmacy referrals and pharmacist outreach.
• Developed a protocol to enable nurses and pharmacists to refill prescriptions if there is a standing order in place from a provider.
• Among participants:
  • 33% of participants who reported poor or no medication adherence at enrollment improved adherence through the program for diabetes control.

• 1,065 participants completed the program. 
  • Of those 1,065, the number who reported engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week increased from 174 (16% of participants) to 703 (66% of participants) - an increase of 304%
  • 852 of 1,065 (80%) individuals who completed the program achieved one or more of the health benefit outcomes such as reduced body-weight and/or increase in physical activity

• 2,768 students enrolled in an SBAM program in 11 counties to improve their asthma management.
• 26% of students with uncontrolled asthma at enrollment gained control of their asthma by program completion.
• 768 students enrolled in an enhanced asthma program designed to help manage severe asthma.
• 249 nurses and support staff received training to increase asthma management skills.
• 469 of 1,979 (24%) reported fewer emergency department visits.

• 739 people at risk of or diagnosed with hypertension completed the program.
• Participants who had significantly uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) at enrollment (> 140 / 90; n=282) and who completed the program, reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by decreasing their blood pressure:
  • 150 (53%) lowered their BP to < 140/90
  • 49 (17%) lowered their BP to < 130/80