Abstract for: Community-based system dynamics for connecting food access to health equity in Washington, DC

Washington DC's Wards 7 & 8 are historically disinvested neighborhoods experiencing inequities and adverse health outcomes. Despite efforts to increase food access over the years, residents' behavior change for healthy eating has been stagnating. Disparities in health outcomes directly related to nutrition persist. We are working with a community advisory board (CAB) to apply community-based system dynamics. The CAB consists of grassroots leaders from Wards 7 & 8. Group model building (GMB) was facilitated over four two-hour sessions, with enhancing collaboration and consensus building as the purpose. A causal loop diagram (CLD) was synthesized and used for a participatory activity to help CAB members see themselves in the work. The CAB identified healthy eating as the issue to address, with focus on both behavior change and structural factors. A CLD was synthesized based on GMB discussions. Upon review of the CLD, the CAB chose to focus on two leverage points for action: (1) Increase community ownership of land and food operations and (2) cultivate credible messengers in community serving roles and maximize their effectiveness. Translating conceptual leverage points into tangible actions has been challenging, as has building trust between the CAB and university researchers. Capacity-building activities (e.g. skills training, practice presenting the work) have sustained the momentum of the collective work while helping build trust. The CAB is currently refining and specifying its collective actions to increase Ward 7 & 8 resident ownership of food operations.