Victoria Fouchea
Pronouns: She/her
Research Mentor(s): Prashanti Boinapally
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Authority Health / NonUM
Program:
Authors: Victoria Fouchea, Prashanti Boinapally, MD, Dennis Archambault
Session: Session 7: 4:40 pm – 5:30 pm
Poster: 85
Abstract
In 2012, Authority Health of Detroit instituted the MOTION Coalition to address high rates of childhood obesity in their community. This work involves a team of stakeholders representing physicians, over 30 community organizations, and researchers. These members meet quarterly to hear from speakers of various community organizations and projects. After listening to a presentation, members will ask how their own organizations can help. The benefit of a coalition is that the reach is greater than organizations working by themselves as well as diversity of professional and cultural perspectives. After a year of quarterly meetings, writing letters of advocacy for legislation, and updating members on innovations of research on childhood obesity, the MOTION Coalition holds an annual summit. Over 100 attendees listen to national and local presenters, as well as panelists representing the diversity of Detroit, and network among themselves, a valuable aspect of coalition work. Childhood obesity in Detroit and, by association, poor community health continues to be a targeted issue. The Coalition performs a community service through policy advocacy. Policy and public health changes take time. Support and work like what the Coalition does and, helps others do, is needed for any change to happen.
