Research, Evaluation and Special Projects Section (RESPS)

RESPS has four key goals:

• Provide guidance on statewide and county-specific data on obesity and related behaviors and outcomes (such as diabetes and cardio vascular disease).
• Develop and maintain evaluation systems and provide related training and technical assistance for interventions implemented by local ​health departments.
• Develop and implement statewide research and evaluation  projects.
• Provide support to Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch (NPAB) staff, partners and other professionals on research and evaluation studies and findings related to consumption of fruits and vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and water; physical activity; obesity and related chronic diseases, specifically among low-income populations.

The RESPS Team

Sacramento Staff

Lauren Whetstone, PhD, Section Chief
Lauren.Whetstone@cdph.ca.gov

John Pugliese, PhD, Research Scientist IV
John.Pugliese@cdph.ca.gov

Ingrid Cordon, PhD, Research Scientist III
Ingrid.Cordon@cdph.ca.gov

Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI), UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)

Starting in FFY16 CDPH NPAB partnered with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) to better serve the research and evaluation needs of the branch. The following NPI staff provides LHD support.

Sacramento Staff

Carolyn Rider, MA, Evaluator 
cdrider@ucanr.edu

Amanda Linares, MS, Evaluator
amlinares@ucanr.edu

Evan Talmage, Evaluator
etalmage@ucanr.edu

​Evaluation

Geographic Information System (GIS) Maps

Publications and Reports

California Community Obesity Profiles

This material was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This institution is an equal opportunity provider.​