Projects

Vulnerable groups often have a greater need for preventive health care, but they are significantly less likely to engage in prevention and health promotion services. To be able to reach vulnerable groups, the SHI Alliance for Health recommends implementing interventions at the communal level. The “Confidence Coach” project is aimed at vulnerable populations and is being implemented at the municipal level in Rhineland-Palatinate. The aim of the project is to promote the competence to act and the personal responsibility of these groups and to encourage them to adopt a health-conscious behavior. The project’s target group includes elderly people, people with disabilities, people with a migration background, single parents, as well as children and young people from families struggling with addiction and/or mental health. Within the framework of this project, the groups of people listed above are sensibilized to the topic of health and exercise by qualified trust coaches (VC) and motivated to participate in health-promoting and primary preventive activities, especially regarding physical activity. The VCs can be located within the local municipality, welfare organizations, clubs, adult education centers, social insurance institutions, religious communities, etc.

The evaluation of the project is funded by the SHI Alliance for Health – a joint initiative of the statutory health insurance funds for the further development of health promotion and prevention in living environments. The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) on behalf of the SHI Alliance for Health has appointed the inav to evaluate the project. The aim of the evaluation is to examine how the project is implemented in the communities or settings, with regard to, e.g., the activities of the VC, the participation of the vulnerable target groups in physical activity programs, and supporting or inhibiting factors. It will also present how the project reaches the vulnerable target groups and the extent to which physical activity programs stimulate health and behavioural changes. The data collection will be carried out by qualitative and quantitative methods using a mixed methods approach.

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