UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER NOTES
“Promoting Health through Physical Activity”

I recently served on the our local county Transportation Study Commission charged with establishing roadway, public transit, and bike/ped/greenway priorities for the next 8+ years.  What a learning experience!  When I recommended that a “complete streets” philosophy underlie decision-making and project planning processes, the reaction was mixed - like a contentious dissertation defense, with me defending.  Public debate on a $.01 sales tax increase to fund projects has been heated.  Many of us advocate for active living policies (see What’s Happening in Washington section), but it’s not easy.

PS – the recommendation to adopt a complete streets philosophy was included in the Commission’s final report, but County Council can choose to ignore it.

Steve Hooker, PhD, Director

Delores Pluto, PhD, Newsletter Editor (dmpluto@sc.edu)
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu

IN THIS ISSUE – May-June 2008

NEWS YOU CAN USE: International Walk to School Month; Redesigned Healthfinder.gov

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: Bike Resolutions; Complete Streets Bills

RESEARCH NOTES: VERB(tm) Campaign Summary; Neighborhood Design; Senior Intervention

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:
American Fitness Index; PA Guidelines Report; UK’S NICE Research on PA

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: Active Living Strategies; Bicycle Friendly Community Awards; Bicycle Friendly State Program Launched; Find Thirty Every Day (Australia); Active Living Minnesota

SCHOOLS: Active After-School Communities (Australia); School Health Profiles Released

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: 10th Annual International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity; 8th European Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education; Family Health and Fitness Day USA; WALK 21: 9th Annual; National Trails Symposium; Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2008

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATE: USC PRC Highlighted on CDC PRC Website

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL MONTH. It’s time to start planning for International Walk to School month in October. In the US, you can register at www.walktoschool.org/register. Registered schools will be displayed on an interactive map and organizers will have access to a variety of downloadable materials, including certificates, templates for printing stickers, and a frequent walker punch card. Registrants can also subscribe to receive a weekly e-newsletter with tips and resources on holding a Walk to School event. Not in the US? Find out if your country is participating at www.iwalktoschool.org. [Source: CDC/NSPAPPH Physical Activity One-Way Listserv, 6/19/2008]

REDESIGNED HEALTHFINDER.GOV. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has redesigned healthfinder.gov and is looking for feedback on the site. The new site has a prevention focus and has been redesigned based on usability and health literacy principles. The site’s “Quick Guide to Healthy Living” focuses on 5 key health behaviors, including physical activity. Check it out at http://beta.healthfinder.gov. Be sure to provide your comments using the feedback button.

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For a list of PA related observances and events, visit the PA links section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

BIKE RESOLUTIONS. House Concurrent Resolution 305, dubbed the National Bike Bill, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 21. The resolution documents the many ways in which bicycling benefits individuals, communities, and the nation. The Resolution has been forwarded to the U.S. Senate. A similar resolution was adopted at the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors on June 23. You can read the text of the House resolution at http://thomas.loc.gov and the text of the Mayors’ resolution at http://www.bikeleague.org/news/newsletter/e-news_061008.html (scroll to end of newsletter). [Source: American Bicyclists Update, June 2008]

COMPLETE STREETS BILLS. In May, Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008 into the U.S. House (HR 5951). The bill would ensure that roads built and improved with federal funds safely serve everyone using the roadway, including pedestrians, bicyclists, bus riders, and people with disabilities. The Senate version of the bill was introduced in March. This is the first time that comprehensive complete streets bills have been introduced in the House and Senate. For more information on complete streets, please visit www.completestreets.org. [Sources: American Bicyclist Update, 5/12/08; CenterLines 201]

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RESEARCH NOTES:

VERB(tm) CAMPAIGN SUMMARY. A supplemental issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine entitled "The VERB(tm) Campaign. Not about Health, All about Fun: Marketing Physical Activity to Children,” summarized the successful VERB Campaign that ended September 30, 2006. Evaluation methods and selected results are presented, along with previously unreported outcomes of the parent campaign, the effect of the augmented dose of marketing activities in six communities, and the testing of a communication theory underlying the campaign strategy. Free access: http://www.ajpm-online.net (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 34, Issue 6, Supplement 1). Additional information about CDC's VERB Campaign can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/. [Source: CDC/NSPAPPH Physical Activity One-Way Listserv, 5/29/2008]

NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN, Using cross-sectional and quasi-longitudinal designs, researchers examined the association between neighborhood design and physical activity (PA) while controlling for preferences and attitudes.  A sample of 1,682 adults was stratified into two groups: movers and non-movers.  Respondents were asked to report PA within the past seven days and any change in PA within the year for movers and from one year ago for non-movers. Analyses showed an association between neighborhood design and PA.  Neighborhood characteristics that may improve PA include: attractiveness, PA options, interaction among neighbors, and safety.  Handy, Cao, & Mokhtarian. “The causal influence of neighborhood design on physical activity within the neighborhood: evidence from Northern California.” American Journal of Health Promotion, 22 (5):350-358, 2008.

For additional summaries of recent research on promoting physically active lifestyles, visit the Research Updates section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/updates/index.htm.

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REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

AMERICAN FITNESS INDEX. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently launched the ACSM American Fitness Index™ (AFI). This program is being implemented in partnership with the WellPoint/Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation. The AFI will provide an evidence- and science-based measurement of the state of health and fitness at the community level throughout the U.S. During the pilot phase, the project assessed the 15 largest cities in the U.S. (plus Indianapolis). Go to http://www.americanfitnessindex.org/ to read the reports and see how the rankings were created.

PA GUIDELINES REPORT. On June 20th, the USDHHS released the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. It summarizes the Committee’s review of science relating PA to a variety of health outcomes, and addresses the benefits of PA for particular subgroups of the population: children and youth, pregnant and postpartum women, persons with disabilities, individuals with some chronic conditions, and older adults. It provides the scientific basis for PA Guidelines currently being developed for a fall 2008 launch. You may comment on the report, but it will not be amended; all comments will be considered in the preparation of the PA Guidelines. Read and comment at http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/.

UK’S NICE RESEARCH ON PA.  The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organization that provides national guidance in the UK on health promotion and disease prevention and treatment. NICE recently produced a guidance report titled “Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace.” The report includes recommendations in four areas: policy and planning; implementing PA programs; components of PA programs, and supporting employers. In each area, the document indicates the type of action and who should take it. Your can read the report at http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=11981. [Source: CDC/NSPAPPH Physical Activity One-Way Listserv, 6/9/08]

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PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

ACTIVE LIVING STRATEGIES. “Strategies for Enhancing the Built Environment to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living” is the first of four policy briefs from the Healthy Eating, Active Living Convergence Partnership. It outlines organizational practices and public policies being considered to improve the built environment in support of healthy eating and regular physical activity. In the area of Active Transportation and Public Transit, strategies include enacting complete streets policies, connecting roadways to complementary systems of trails and bicycle paths, adopting pedestrian and bicycle master plans, investing in public transit, ensuring that children can walk and bicycle safely to school, and increasing federal funding for active transportation and public transit. Strategies are also included for activity-friendly recreation environments and land use planning. Review at http://www.kintera.org/site/c.fhLOK6PELmF/b.3917599/.

BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY AWARDS: Eleven communities were recently honored with the League of American Bicyclists’ prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community designation, and eleven communities renewed their designation. The new winners bring the total number of Bicycle Friendly Communities to 84, stretching across 31 states. The League awards this four-year designation to communities that have made impressive, measurable efforts to integrate bicyclists into the community. See press release at http://www.bikeleague.org/media/press/ for the list of new recipients. [Source: American Bicyclist Special Issue, 5/1/2008]

BICYCLE FRIENDLY STATE PROGRAM LAUNCHED. The League of American Bicyclists has expanded its Bicycle Friendly Community program to cover States. Initially, the Bicycle Friendly State program will rank all 50 states using over 50 criteria ranging from state laws to advocacy and education programs. States that wish to apply for a Bicycle Friendly State designation can receive further recognition, feedback, technical assistance, training and encouragement to improve their bicycling legislation, projects, and programs. For more information, go to http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlystate. [Source: American Bicyclists Update, 6/08]

FIND THIRTY® EVERY DAY [Australia]. This campaign aims to increase the number of Western Australian adults who are sufficiently active for good health. The campaign includes television advertising, supporting media, resources, and community-based strategies. The website (http://www.findthirtyeveryday.com.au) includes information on the campaign and how to “Find Thirty® every day,” as well as information for professionals working in physical activity. The campaign is an initiative of Heart Foundation and is funded by the Department of Health, Western Australia.  [Source: AusPAnet e-News 6/6/08]

ACTIVE LIVING MINNESOTA. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota selected eight Minnesota communities to receive funding from its Active Living Minnesota program. The funding will support grassroots efforts to make towns, cities and counties across “active-living friendly” for walking and cycling. Learn more at http://preview.tinyurl.com/69k4ut. [Source: Centerlines 204]

SCHOOLS:

ACTIVE AFTER-SCHOOL COMMUNITIES [Australia]. More than 150,000 children are now playing sports, games and activities after school in Australia’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program. The AASC program provides Australian primary school aged children with access to free, structured physical activity programs after school from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The program is designed to engage traditionally inactive children in structured physical activities and build links with community based organizations to create opportunities for ongoing participation. See http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools_and_juniors/aasc for more information.

SCHOOL HEALTH PROFILES RELEASED. CDC’s Division of School Health recently released a report from the 2006 School Health Profiles, a system of surveys assessing school health policies and programs in states and large urban school districts. These surveys are conducted biennially by state and local education and health agencies among middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers. The profiles include a detailed description of the methodology; short-term and long-term changes over time; and results related to the six components of the coordinated school health model. Detailed reports and state fact sheets can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/profiles/index.htm.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

10th Annual International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity:  Creative Approaching and Practice in Adapted Physical Therapy. Seoul, Korea, August 8-10, 2008. http://www.ifapa.biz

8th European Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education. New frontiers: future political, cultural, and scientific challenges for Health Promotion. September 10-13, 2008, Turin, Italy. http://www.hp08torino.org/

Family Health and Fitness Day USA. The purpose is to promote family involvement in physical activity, one of the goals of the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, September 27, 2008. http://www.fitnessday.com/family

WALK 21: 9th Annual:  Create a world where people choose and are able to walk as a way to travel, to be healthy and to relax. October 8-10, 2008, Barcelona, Spain. http://www.walk21.com/conferences/barcelona.asp

National Trails Symposium.  The agenda addresses both non-motorized and motorized issues and a vision for trails and greenways nationwide. November, 15-18, 2008, San Antonio, TX. http://www.americantrails.org/2008/index.html

Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2008. Transforming Communities. September 2-5, 2008; Seattle, WA. http://www.bikewalk.org/conference.php

For a more complete list of conferences and workshops, visit the PA links section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
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USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATE

USC PRC HIGHLIGHTED ON CDC PRC WEBSITE: The USC PRC has been working with Sumter County Active Lifestyles to provide mini-grants to increase physical activity resources in underserved areas of Sumter County. This project is the subject of a feature story on the CDC PRC website. Read more at.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5vudel

For a more complete list of conferences and workshops, visit the PA links section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
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This and past issues of the “University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center Notes” are available on our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/Newsletter/index.htm.

To submit an item, please e-mail Delores Pluto at dmpluto@sc.edu.

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The USC Prevention Research Center is a member of the CDC Prevention Research Center's National Network, consisting of 33 Centers in the U.S. For more information about the PRC National Network, visit http://www.cdc.gov/prc.

Prevention Research Center
Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
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This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 5-U48-DP-000051 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.

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