Evaluating the Dissemination and Implementation of a Community Health Worker-Based Community Wide Campaign to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Physical Activity among Latinos along the U.S.-Mexico Border

Authors: Paul Gerardo Yeh Belinda M Reininger, Lisa A Mitchell-Bennett, Minjae Lee, Tianlin Xu, Amanda C Davé, Soo Kyung Park, Alma G Ochoa-Del Toro

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dissemination and implementation of a culturally tailored, community-wide campaign (CWC) called Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! (TSSC). TSSC aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and physical activity (PA) engagement among low-income Latinos of Mexican descent living along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, USA. The primary outcomes of interest were TSSC’s reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance, and were measured utilizing CHW home visits and dietary and exercise questionnaires. Results demonstrated that the TSSC program was highly adaptable and effective, and contributed towards increases in FV intake and PA among participants. These findings suggest that culturally tailored CWCs can help equip low-income families to make better health decisions, while CHWs may play a valuable role in the implementation of such campaigns.