Community Model for Improving Child Wellness on Staten Island

Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness (SIPCW) works to identify and address emerging health needs on Staten Island. Through partnerships with the Office of the Borough President and myriad community organizations, SIPCW seeks to mobilize an aligned collaborative response to address the borough’s most urgent public health needs. Childhood obesity rates on Staten Island’s north shore are close to 40%, with even higher prevalence among minority children. As obese children are at risk for developing long-term chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, SIPCW has been tasked with mitigating this growing trend. SIPCW requested a Capstone team to assess key drivers of childhood obesity on Staten Island and research evidence-based models. Through metadata, key informant interviews, and focus groups, the team analyzed key Staten Island child health indicators, resources, norms, and barriers. The team also conducted research on effective community-based models and interventions in comparable communities that may be later tailored to Staten Island’s unique demography, culture, and resources. The team recommended a community-based strategy to improve childhood wellness on Staten Island.