(P28-025-23) Application of Dissemination Science To Expand Reach, Implementation, and Adoption of the Online Program “About Eating” Across New York State

Objectives: Dissemination science is the study of how evidence-based (EB) programs can be actively spread using pre-determined strategies to promote adoption and desired outcomes. The purpose of this study was to utilize dissemination science to enhance low-income New York (NY) residents’ reach, implementation and adoption of “About Eating,” an online program that enhance food resource management skills.

Methods: Using web-based searches and community contacts, a dissemination inventory of potential implementers was developed for each of NY states’ ten fiscal regions, targeting venues e.g., food pantries, housing offices, libraries, churches. Focusing on the processes domain of dissemination science, email and/or phone outreach to potential implementers elicited preferred dissemination strategies to promote program access. Consequent program access by the target audience was monitored and included a companion online survey to detail region-specific program awareness, engagement, information use, receptivity and behavioral outcomes.

Results: The dissemination inventory detailed 11,626 unique contacts across the ten fiscal regions. Of these, 3,161 were contacted by phone/email with offers to tailor messages, promotional materials, social media posts, and suggest adaptations.  The largest numbers of contacts were to low-income housing offices (n=717), food pantries (n=603), and libraries (n=581) with 205 Facebook groups. Responses from 133 organizations, representing all ten fiscal regions, requested additional program information. Posts were confirmed from 31 Facebook groups. Dissemination using community-specific venues and channels prompted responses from 742 people with 216 completing an online feedback survey.  This sample was mostly female-84%, college educated-67%, and white-63%. Assistance program use was not congruent with intended reach, with low SNAP (15%), WIC (9%), and  Food bank (17%) participation.

Conclusions: Dissemination of evidence-based (EB) nutrition education requires robust and rigorous strategizing.  Adopting dissemination science process domain concepts rather than a previously used passive, untargeted approach, facilitated broader target audience reach. However, findings revealed an ongoing need to design for dissemination to reach target audiences.

Funding Sources: Mother Cabrini Health Foundation