Table 1 Operationalization of Measures

Health civic engagement

There are many activities that a person could do to influence government decisions about health issues. During the past year have you. . .

 A. Voted for or against a candidate for public office because of his/her position on a health problem or issue

 B. Voted for or against a candidate for public office because of his/her position on other issues such as education, public safety, or community funding

 C. Contributed time or money to an organization working to pass a health law or policy at the local, state or national level

 D. Lobbied or advocated for a health-related cause in your community. (This may include signing a petition, calling a public official, disseminating information via social media, participating in demonstrations)

 E. Attended a civic meeting or worked with neighbors to fix community problems

SOURCES: America’s Health Agenda: Priorities and Performance Rating Survey [34] (revised), and CPS Civic Engagement Supplement [35]; adapted by RAND and RWJF.

Sense of Community

The following statements about community refer to your neighborhood. How well do each of the following statements represent how you feel about this community?—not at all, somewhat, mostly, or completely

 Membership

 A. I can trust people in this community

 B. I can recognize most of the members of this community

 C. Most community members know me

 D. This community has symbols and expressions of membership such as clothes, signs, art, architecture, logos, landmarks, and flags that people can recognize

 E. I put a lot of time and effort into being part of this community

 F. Being a member of this community is part of my identity

 Emotional

 G. It is very important to me to be a part of this community

 H. I am with other community members a lot and enjoy being with them

 I. I expect to be a part of this community for a long time

 J. Members of this community have shared important events together, such as holidays, celebrations, or disasters

 K. I feel hopeful about the future of this community

 L. Members of this community care about each other

SOURCE: Sense of Community Index [36]

 Health-related

 M. My community can work together to improve its health

 N. My community has the resources to improve its health

 O. My community works together to make positive change for health

 P. I know my neighbors will help me stay healthy

SOURCE: RAND

Valued Investment in Community Health

Should the following be a top priority, important but not a top priority, or not a priority at all for communities for the following:

 A. Making sure that the disadvantaged have an equal opportunity to be healthy;

 B. Making sure that healthy foods are for sale at affordable prices in communities where they are not;

 C. Making sure that there are safe, outdoor places to walk and be physically active in communities where there are not any;

 D. Making sure that there is decent housing available for everyone who needs it;

SOURCE: American Health Values Segmentation Study [37]

 E. Making sure that there are bike lanes, sidewalks for walking, and public transportation available so that people do not have to always rely on cars. Or Making sure that there is public transportation, sidewalks or walking, and bike lanes available so that people do not have to always rely on cars.^a

SOURCE: RAND

 F. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “It is the obligation of the government to ensure that everyone has access to health care as a fundamental right.”

SOURCE: RAND & RWJF.

Barriers to taking action to invest in community health

Whether or not you have taken action to improve health in your community, many people face barriers to getting involved. Thinking about the following statements, please rate the extent to which you think this has been a barrier for people in your community.

 A. People don’t know how to get involved or where to start

 B. People don’t think their involvement will really make a difference in changing the health of the community

 C. People offer suggestions but only those coming from certain groups or individuals are addressed

 D. There are other issues people care more about

SOURCES: RAND and RWJF