Exemplary Health Equity Practice Award
2014 Awardee | LOS ANGELES COUNTY DPH | Exemplary Large County Practice
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health application highlights Parks After Dark, a community violence prevention program that also has implications for chronic disease prevention. The program, which is a partnership among the parks department, law enforcement, public health, social services, community-based organizations and community residents, takes places in six county parks located in neighborhoods with high rates of crime, obesity, and economic hardship. The role of the public health department has evolved from being a contributor to an institutionally committed lead partner that has helped advance the evidence base for cross- sector strategic planning. The program has helped achieve a decrease in serious and violent crime in three of the neighborhoods, compared with increases in neighborhoods with no Parks After Dark.