AIM for CHangE Frequently Asked Questions

**What is AIM for CHangE?**

AIM for CHangE is a program facilitated by the Mississippi State University Extension Service through the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion; AIM for CHangE stands for “Advancing, Inspiring, and Motivating for Community Health Through Extension.” Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the program uses local change champions to improve community health in Mississippi counties with adult obesity rates of 40% or more by improving access to healthier foods through food system changes, and by increasing access to opportunities for physical activity through active living.

Questions about Public Health

What is community health?

Community health is an area of public health that focuses on health outcomes within certain groups or populations in a geographic region. It can be community-led, generally involving work with locals, in order to identify and address community needs and improve health outcomes.

What is a food system?

A food system includes several steps and procedures that bring food from farm to fork. These include everything from production, cultivation, and processing to distribution, purchase, and consumption. Local aspects include farms and community-supported agriculture, food banks and pantries, sales and food service, as well as many other important elements that are indirectly related to food, such as transit and healthcare.

What is active living?

Active living is the incorporation of physical activity into everyday life. Examples include biking to the post office, walking to work, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Many public health strategies encourage active living through public accommodations, such as street lighting, public seating, shading, and water fountains, while more direct strategies include public walking trails and other prioritized environmental assets.

What is an intervention?

An intervention actively addresses a problem or opportunity for the purpose of improving people’s quality of life by relying on existing assets, opportunities, skills, and solutions.

What is a policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change?

PSE changes make healthier lifestyles more accessible and sustainable by making the healthy choice the easy choice and shifting to a culture of health for communities and individuals. A policy change is a change to a law, ordinance, or rule; a systems change is a change to daily routines; an environmental change is a physical change to alter the areas in which we live. Focusing on the ways that our health is affected by each, we can improve the effectiveness of public health strategies.

Questions about the Program

What is a change champion?

A change champion is a community leader and advocate who gets things done. AIM for CHangE relies on these individuals to provide unique perspectives from their experiences as stakeholders within the community. Usually, champions are long-time residents, business owners, or local public officials.

What is a master plan?

A master plan is used in public administration to express the goal and mission of the community and guide community decisions. For the purposes of AIM for CHangE, these plans focus on the ways that the physical environment supports health through walkability and concentration of everyday destinations. When community assets are near each other, they create opportunities for active living.

What are some expected outcomes?

We are projecting to see increased engagement in and opportunities for active living, as well as an increase in the availability of healthy foods. Specifically, our expected outcomes include improved neighborhood walkability, opening and expansion of food pantries, and improved meal and retail options in food service and distribution outlets. Ultimately, our goal is to prevent and reduce obesity through increased availability and accessibility of healthy foods and active living options.

How can I get involved?

There has never been a better time to get involved with AIM for CHangE! Contact your AIM for CHangE agent to move forward or https://mailchi.mp/msstate/sign-up-to-be-a-change-champion to sign up to be a change champion

Who is my AIM for CHangE agent?

If you live in Washington, Noxubee, Coahoma, Claiborne or Sunflower your agent is Jasmine Norwood. If you live in Yazoo, Sharkey, Holmes, Bolivar, Humphreys, or Kemper counties, your agent is Alexis Hamilton.