Implementing Intersectoral Community-Wide Initiatives based on ISPAHs Eight investments: The Pep Initiative in Sweden

Background: Unlike traditional linear models targeting individuals and specific health problems, community-wide initiatives aim to foster healthy lifestyles by modifying policies, physical environments, and engaging local stakeholders. In Sweden, public health responsibilities are shared among municipalities, regions, and the state. Generation Pep, is a non-profit organization with a vision that all children and young people should have good opportunities to lead an active and healthy life.

Program Delivery: The Pep Initiative, including 6 municipalities in the pilot phase (2021-23) and 25 municipalities from 2024, is inspired by ISPAHs; Eight investment that work for physical activity. The overall initiative is characterised as a multi-level community-wide programmes (8) and including five other ISPAH investments; Whole-of-school programmes, Active transport, Active urban design, Health care, Sports and recreation for all. And two additional themes; the food environment and the children’s perspective (based on The UN Convention on the Rights of a Child).
Our work is based on four key complementary forms of knowledge and a conceptual model has been developed to describe knowledge about; ”the issue”, ”interventions”, ”context”, “implementation”. Visually represented by a four-leaf clover mode, used in the planning and development of the initiative.

Evaluation: The qualitative evaluation are currently being compiled and will be presented.

Conclusions: The Pep initiative involves actions by, and interactions among, a wide range of local actors in the municipalities, which is necessary to work with the seven cross-boundary themes that form the core of the initiative. Insights from the presented studies can guide the successful implementation of The Pep Initiative in various municipality settings and inform the implementation of other public health initiatives.

Practical implications: The initiative tackles governance and convergence issues associated with intersectoral collaboration. The Pep Initiative also serves as an exemplary research-informed community-wide approach to influence physical activity and dietary habits among children.

Funding: