Community-Based System Dynamics for Mobilizing Communities to Advance School Health.

Abstract

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDFrameworks such as the WSCC model provide evidence‐based guidance for addressing school health at the school, district, and regional level. However, frameworks do not implement themselves; they require the mobilization and collaboration of stakeholders within communities and an understanding of the unique resources and barriers within each context. Furthermore, addressing school health presents a complex systems problem.METHODSCommunity‐based system dynamics (CBSD) is a participatory approach for engaging communities in understanding and changing complex systems. We used a descriptive multiple case study design to evaluate how and why CBSD was used as a tool for stakeholders to engage with the complexity of school health.RESULTSWe analyzed 3 cases to understand how these methods were used to enhance collaboration, analysis, and community action at multiple levels, including in 2 school districts, with a city‐wide stakeholder committee, and with a group of high school students.CONCLUSIONSCommunity‐based system dynamics presents a promising approach for building shared language and ownership among stakeholders, tailoring to local community contexts, and mobilizing stakeholders for action based on new system insights. We close with a discussion of unique opportunities and challenges of expanding the use of CBSD in the field of school health.