How it Works

origin Story

Movement is Life understood that education and awareness alone were not impacting disparities. The challenge was to work directly with communities to better comprehend their unique needs. One initiative was to IMPLEMENT a community-based program to address the disparaging rates of arthritis and the impact of joint pain that leads to immobility and EDUCATE patients on the significance of daily activity to decrease poor joint health and improve co-morbid health conditions impacted by immobility. In order to implement this initiative, a sub-committee lead by Lynne Jones, PhD, Johns Hopkins and Thomas Mason, MD, Primary Care Physician – Chicago, developed an IRB study proposal for Operation Change. There were two separate cohorts for a total of 72 participants (42 African American and 30 Hispanic/Latina women). A key factor was involvement of the community in identifying the needs and determining content which served as the basis for developing collateral materials that are both culturally sensitive and relatable.

In 2012, the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research found, after conducting a study using Census data, that Chicago was still the most racially segregated city in the country. Residential segregation determines on an average, economic status, quality of housing and neighborhoods, and medical care. So, Chicago was chosen as the initial city to implement Operation Change to improve the health of racially isolated communities. Operation Change was implemented as a research study and conducted focus groups with the participants. It was a grassroots oriented program designed to address joint pain and limited mobility from the perspective of the community.

Program Implementation

Using the program's community-developed curriculum, Operation Change:

  1. provides educational sessions.
  2. integrates culturally tailored physical activity.
  3. uses motivational interviewers to promote and support behavior change.

Program Timeline

Why it Works

Operation Change is successful because it builds culturally competent community health interventions that are led by the community, for the community, and incorporates exploration of social determinants of health. Operation Change stands for development and implementation of effective solutions; understanding that acknowledging the problem is not enough, action is required.

Participants are assessed at the beginning, middle and end of the program. By the end of the 18 week program, participants experienced:

  • 22% decrease in blood pressure
  • 9% decrease in waist circumference
  • 18.2% increase in walking the 50 foot walk distance
  • 104% decreased knee pain (Global Knee Pain Scale)
  • 56% decrease in depression
  • 67% improvement in quality of life
  • 37% decrease in knee stiffness (KOOS, Jr.)
  • 18% increased social support from family and friends

What Participants Are Saying

“The program is a positive motivation for healthier lifestyle choices.”

“I absolutely love this program and adore all of the ladies! The camaraderie with the ladies is amazing. Our group leaders and heads of the program are helpful, attentive and motivational. The speakers (guest) that we have are informative and very helpful.”

“The workshops/lessons/and resources were helpful. I became aware that I was depressed. I got help I got a job and now I'm more active. I have acquired some new friends.”