Pilot program turns ‘whole health’ research into practice
August 21, 2023
An innovative “whole health” approach to wellbeing and weight loss was launched earlier this year following promising results from the Koa Family Program, a study led by a team from the Center for Healthcare Policy and Research (CHPR).
“Whole health” considers an individual’s full life experience – mind, body and spirit – in developing a program to improve wellbeing through healthful eating, physical activity, stress reduction and weight management.
Results from the Koa Family “whole health” study were published in the Health Education Journal in 2022 and led to the launch of a pilot program focused on a real-world clinical setting. The 15-week pilot launched at UC Davis Health’s Folsom Clinic in March 2023.
“Our findings from the Koa Family trial were incredibly promising, so it was exciting to expand the ‘whole health’ approach to a new population through a pilot program at the Folsom Clinic,” said Desiree Backman, chief of the Prevention Policy and Practice Group (3PG) at CHPR and leader of the Koa Family and Folsom pilot programs.
The Koa Family Program, a randomized controlled trial, found significant health and wellbeing effects from the community-based, telewellness program focused on reducing obesity among women with low income. Study participants had an average weight loss of eight pounds over 25 weeks.
Our findings from the Koa Family trial were incredibly promising, so it was exciting to expand the ‘whole health’ approach to a new population through a pilot program at the Folsom Clinic.—Desiree Backman, chief of the Prevention Policy and Practice Group at the Center for Healthcare Policy and Research
The Folsom pilot built on those results. The pilot consisted of 10 women, aged 29-47. Most participants reported weight loss, eating more healthy, feeling better physically, being more active and improved stress management.
“For the Folsom pilot, fostering ’whole health’ meant a focus on social connection and overall wellbeing, rather than weight loss per se,” said Neal Kohatsu, a health strategist on CHPR’s 3PG team. “We were very pleased to find that a community-based prevention program translated so well to a clinic setting.”
Folsom clinic staff and physicians led by Victor Baquero, medical director, and Kristi Riddlesperger, practice manager, assisted the CHPR team through the pilot program.
“It was thrilling to see the ‘whole health’ program in action and helping our patients with Dr. Baquero’s support and leadership,” said Allen Hall, medical director for the UC Davis Health Community Physicians Group. “The Folsom pilot’s successes show how we can quickly and effectively take evidence-based research and put it into clinical practice.”
The Folsom pilot was supported by staff on CHPR’s 3PG team, including Camlyn McCracken, Crystie Dao, and Julia Fleuret.
The Koa Family Program study was funded by the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Folsom clinic initiative was supported by UC Davis Health.
The Center for Healthcare Policy and Research’s mission is to facilitate research, promote education, and inform policy about health and health care. The goal is to improve the health of the public by contributing new knowledge about access, delivery, cost, quality and outcomes related to health care and providing rigorous evidence to policymakers and other stakeholders. CHPR executes its mission through interdisciplinary and collaborative research; education and career development; and research synthesis and dissemination.
