"Making the Case" for prevention.

Last Monday, we kicked off the Prevention Conference with a “Making the Case” workshop with Prevention Institute. Two trainers from Prevention Institute helped us tackle tough questions facing obesity prevention advocates in Wisconsin, such as promoting the role of policy, systems and environmental change to reduce obesity and related chronic diseases, and making the case for devoting limited time and resources to prevention initiatives. Here are a few tips from Prevention Institute that can guide you as you prepare for your next meeting with policymakers, businesses and organizations in your community, and the press.

• Plan ahead for tough questions.



• Use every conversation about prevention to widen the frame from individuals to focus on environments and the many ways environments shape the health outcomes of communities.



• Rehearse your elevator pitches and prepare and review your answers to tough questions with colleagues or—as one of our trainers confessed she does—at home in front of a mirror!



• Emphasize co-benefits. Many obesity prevention initiatives have positive benefits beyond improving health outcomes, such as strengthening ties between community organizations and creating safer, more vibrant community environments that are more attractive places to live, work and play.



• Practice “pivoting.” Tough questions, such as “Aren’t parents responsible for making healthy choices about physical activity and nutrition for their children?”, can trap us in unproductive conversations that reinforce popular frames about personal responsibility for health outcomes and prevent us from making the case for environmental and systems changes to address public health issues. You can quickly address tricky questions and “pivot” back to your topic, keeping the conversation on message.
  Question: “Doesn’t your work in obesity prevention aim to limit people’s choices?”
  Answer: “Actually, we are working to expand people’s choices. In our community, too many families don’t have access to healthy choices about food and fitness. By establishing joint-use agreements that open schools and other facilities to the public, we can provide everyone in our community with safe places to be physically active. Healthy corner stores increase people’s opportunities to make healthy food choices.”

Prevention Institute is a national non-profit committed to preventing illness and injury, fostering health and social equity, and building momentum for community prevention as an integral component of a quality health system. Prevention Institute synthesizes research and practice; develops prevention tools and frameworks; helps design and guide interdisciplinary partnerships; and conducts training and strategic consultation with government, foundations, and community-based organizations nationwide and internationally.