Learning Objectives: Describe the 5 steps involved in the CAM model. Identify two examples of how the model resulted in environmental change and policy development and apply the model to one issue of concern to their community. Describe how to use tobacco funds to apply this model.
Abstract: The San Francisco Tobacco Free Project has implemented the Community Action Model (CAM) since 1996. The CAM model is based on the theory of Paulo Freire and is asset based (builds on the strengths of a community to create change from within). The CAM moves away from projects that focus solely on changing individual lifestyle and behavior to mobilizing community members and agencies to change environmental factors promoting economic and environmental inequalities. This includes a critical analysis of underlying social, economic and environmental forces creating the health and social inequalities in a community.
During the workshop, a diverse panel composed of adult and youth advocates and health educators from the 7 San Francisco based tobacco control NGO’s will share the 5 steps of the model. They will give examples of successful outcomes such as two school based tobacco control policies, a city wide policy banning tobacco ads, a smokefree parks policy, enforcement of local/national laws regarding bidi tobacco products and cigars used by youth, youth efforts to promote access to healthy food alternatives to tobacco subsidiary products and participation in global campaigns. Interactive tools will help participants to explore concrete ways to apply the CAM to their issues of concern. In conclusion, participants will learn concrete ways to apply the CAM which is a framework for community members to acquire the skills to investigate the health of the place where they live and then plan, implement and evaluate actions that change the environment to promote and improve health.
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