QUARTER 3: July- September 2026| USC-PRC Notes

“Promoting Health through Physical Activity”

Topics in this issue

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

  • Updates from the USC PRC Core Research Project
  • Update from the USC PRC

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • Making Strides: 2026 State Report Cards
  • ACSM Calls for Greater Focus on Social Factors That Shape Health
  • Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment in United States Military Service Members

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

  • October, November, and December

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

  • ACSM Shares Updates on Federal Physical Activity and Public Health Policy

RESEARCH NOTES:

  • Trends in Physical Activity by Cancer History in a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adults
  • Exercise is Medicine for Underserved Populations: Integrating Physical Activity Screening on a Community Mobile Health Unit
  •  A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study of a Youth-Led Digital Hypertension Education Intervention Among Parent–Youth Dyads
  • Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity Associated with Incident Probable Sarcopenia, Fracture, and Falls
  • Physical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

  • New Lancet Series: Cardiovascular Disease and Pregnancy
  • Promoting Physical Activity in the Modern Workplace: A Resource Guide for Employers
  • New Course: Community-Clinical Linkages for Chronic Disease

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

  • Exploring Boston’s Black Heritage Trail: Q&A with Ranger Shawn Quigley
  • Movement is Culture: Indigenous Resilience Through Physically Active Lifestyles
  • Fitness as We Age
  • New Fitness Court Aims to Keep Le Roy Moving

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • October, November, December, January, February

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR:

Welcome to our latest newsletter of Promoting Health through Physical Activity. In the spirit of Dolly Parton, whose generosity and commitment to lifting up others have inspired so many, we celebrate the people and partnerships advancing physical activity and public health in our communities.

I know many of you encounter challenges in your work each day. I hope Dolly’s optimism helps keep you motivated in this important work. As she said, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

Thank you for all you do to create healthier, more active lives. I hope you enjoy and are inspired by the stories and ideas in this newsletter.

-Sara Wilcox

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

Updates from the USC PRC Core Research Project

The PRC’s core research project, Walking with Purpose, is recruiting for its first cohort, which begins in early spring. The project uses two evidence-based programs, Walk Your Heart to Health and the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program, to train churches to start an older adult walking program and create a supportive environment for physical activity. For more information about Walking with Purpose or to sign up, contact the Walking with Purpose team at 803-837-6517 or FAN4life@mailbox.sc.edu.

Updates from the USC PRC

USC PRC Director Sara Wilcox and Co-Investigator Andy Kaczynski both presented at the Postgraduate Course on Research Directions and Strategies, held in Columbia, SC, from September 16-23. Dr. Wilcox spoke about engaging communities for physical activity research, drawing heavily from her experiences with the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program. Dr. Kaczynski spoke about the built environment and opportunities to promote environmental justice and community health. This year, the course hosted 16 research fellows from across the country.

The PRC has collaborated with Dr. Shan Qiao to produce a lay research brief titled “How Resilience, Social Support, and Coping Impact Mental Health Among Rural Black Women Facing Discrimination.” The brief provides insight into two of her recent manuscripts examining Black women’s mental health in South Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can find the lay research brief here.

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Making Strides: 2026 State Report Cards

Safe Routes Partnership has released its 2026 Making Strides State Report Cards, offering a snapshot of how all 50 states and Washington, D.C. support walking, biking, and physical activity through policies, funding, and programs. Now in their sixth edition, the report cards mark 10 years of tracking state progress and highlight both improvements and opportunities for continued action. Key areas include active transportation policies and funding, Safe Routes to School, and policies that support active schools and neighborhoods. The report cards can help public health professionals, transportation leaders, community organizations, and advocates identify ways to build safer, healthier, and more active communities. You can view the Report Card here.

[Source: Safe Routes Partnership]

ACSM Calls for Greater Focus on Social Factors That Shape Health

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) issued a new Call to Action emphasizing the need to address social determinants of health across sports medicine, exercise science, and physical activity promotion. Social determinants of health, including education, transportation, economic stability, health care access, and neighborhood conditions, can influence a person’s opportunities to be physically active and maintain good health. ACSM encourages researchers, health professionals, educators, and organizations to consider these factors in research, clinical care, education, and community programs. The Call to Action also highlights the importance of community partnerships in identifying and addressing barriers to physical activity and health. Read the statement here.

[Source: ACSM]

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment in United States Military Service Members

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology have released the first comprehensive guidance on assessing cardiovascular health and fitness for duty among tactical athletes, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, military personnel, emergency responders, pilots, and astronauts. These professionals often face intense physical demands, extreme environments, and high-stress situations that can strain the heart. The new guidance introduces a framework that considers both an individual’s cardiovascular health and the specific demands of their job when making fitness-for-duty decisions. It also emphasizes heart health screening and ongoing monitoring, emergency preparedness, and management of cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. Review the latest guidance statement and its commentary.

[Source: AHA]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

     

      WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

      Physical Activity Guidelines Legislation Introduced in Congress

      The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) highlights two recent federal developments affecting physical activity and public health. The Fit Future Act (H.R. 9723), introduced in July 2026, would formally establish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and promote efforts to advance youth fitness, physical education, and reducing sedentary behavior. The bill advanced unanimously through a House committee and is awaiting further consideration in Congress. ACSM also reports that the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where her leadership could shape future work on physical activity, chronic disease prevention, and other public health initiatives.

      [Source: ACSM]

      RESEARCH NOTES:

      Trends in Physical Activity by Cancer History in a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adults

      A new AJPM Focus study examined physical activity trends among more than 2.7 million U.S. adults from 2018–2024, comparing those with and without a history of cancer. Researchers found that physical activity increased significantly over time among cancer survivors, yet survivors remained less likely than adults without a cancer history to report being physically active. Nearly 30% of cancer survivors reported no physical activity in the past month, compared with about 24% of adults without a cancer history. However, among those reporting regular activity, cancer survivors and adults without a cancer history had similar rates of meeting aerobic physical activity guidelines. The findings highlight an opportunity for health care providers and exercise professionals to help more cancer survivors become active through physical activity counseling and tailored exercise support.

      [Source: Demma, B. D., Eyler, A. A., & Johnson, K. J. (2026). Trends in Physical Activity by Cancer History in a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adults. AJPM Focus, 100555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focus.2026.100555]

      Exercise is Medicine for Underserved Populations: Integrating Physical Activity Screening on a Community Mobile Health Unit

      A recent study in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine examined whether Exercise is Medicine (EIM) physical activity screening could be incorporated into a mobile health unit serving an underserved community. Over three months, 389 visitors completed a health assessment; 84% were Hispanic/Latino and 67% were uninsured, and more than 90% successfully answered the physical activity screening questions. Researchers found that 75% of participants were inactive or insufficiently active, and many also did not meet recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake (59%) or sugary beverage consumption (52%). Women, Hispanic/Latino participants, and those without health insurance were less likely to meet physical activity guidelines, highlighting groups that may benefit from additional support. Staff reported that the screening tool was acceptable and could be incorporated into the mobile clinic’s existing workflow but identified a need for stronger referral processes and connections to community resources. The findings suggest that mobile health programs may provide an important opportunity not only to identify people who are insufficiently active but also to connect underserved populations with evidence-based physical activity programs and other health behavior supports.

      [Source: Estabrooks, P. A., Burns, R. D., Hernandez, A. M., Jackson, J., Christensen, J. T., Hernandez, A. H., Bolyard, M., Hill, J. L., Miller, M., Norton, K. M., Jones, S., & Locke, A. (2026). Exercise is Medicine for Underserved Populations: Integrating Physical Activity Screening on a Community Mobile Health Unit. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 11(2), e000360. https://doi.org/10.1249/TJX.0000000000000360] 

      A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study of a Youth-Led Digital Hypertension Education Intervention Among Parent–Youth Dyads

      A recent pilot study explored whether young people can serve as health educators and supporters to help adults better understand and manage high blood pressure. The six-week digital program paired 19 high school students with an adult family member; youth first learned about hypertension, then shared that information and completed activities with their adult partner. After the program, both youth and adults improved their hypertension knowledge, while youth reported greater confidence in helping an adult manage high blood pressure and adults reported improved blood pressure self-care behaviors. Adults with hypertension also reported increased confidence in their ability to manage their condition. Participants found the program acceptable and feasible, suggesting that involving young people as learners, teachers, and supporters may provide a creative way to extend health education beyond traditional health care settings. Though the study was small and a pilot, its results emphasize the promise of family-centered, youth-led methods for supporting chronic disease prevention and management within communities.

      [Source: Heinert, S. W., Ahmed, M. I., Grullon, K., Oh, S., Ohman Strickland, P., Levy, P., Heckman, C. J., Greene, K., Crabtree, B. F., & Hudson, S. V. (2026). A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study of a Youth-Led Digital Hypertension Education Intervention Among Parent-Youth Dyads. Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education, 53(5), 536–540. https://doi.org/10.1177/10901981261425263]

      Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity Associated with Incident Probable Sarcopenia, Fracture, and Falls

      A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine examined how varying levels and intensities of physical activity may help protect against sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle strength), fractures, and falls. Using wearable activity monitors, researchers followed more than 80,000 adults and found that higher amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were linked to lower risks of all three outcomes. Adults who met the recommended 150–300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week had about a 30% lower risk of probable sarcopenia, a 41% lower risk of fractures, and a 47% lower risk of falls than those who were less active. Importantly, the findings suggest that benefits may occur even at activity levels below current recommendations, with small amounts of vigorous activity potentially offering additional protection. Overall, the study reinforces the value of regular movement for preserving muscle and bone health and supporting healthy aging.

      [Source: Shen, F., Liu, Y.-Y., Yang, J.-Q., Liu, H.-Y., Zhang, L.-W., Li, Q.-M., Gong, T.-T., Wu, Q.-J., & Gao, S.-Y. (2026). Accelerometer-derived physical activity associated with incident probable sarcopenia, fracture, and falls. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 71(3), 108370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2026.108370]

      Physical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults

      A new study underscores the importance of physical fitness for healthy aging and longevity. Researchers followed 13,423 adults aged 65 and older in Taiwan for a median of seven years and assessed multiple fitness domains, including cardiovascular endurance, upper- and lower-body strength, flexibility, balance, and agility. Participants with better balance, agility, lower-body strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness had a lower risk of death from any cause, even after accounting for physical activity, chronic health conditions, and other factors. Those with the highest overall fitness across all measures had a 61% lower risk of mortality than those with the lowest overall fitness. The study used assessments that could be incorporated into health and fitness settings, such as chair stands, a two-minute step test, one-leg standing, and an 8-foot up-and-go test. Results imply that maintaining strength, balance, agility, and cardiovascular health could be vital for healthy aging. Additionally, straightforward fitness tests might help identify older adults who could benefit from extra support.

      [Source: Wu, M., Hsu, C., Hsu, H., et al. (2026). Physical Fitness and All-cause mortality in Older Adults. JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2628227. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.28227]

      REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

      New Lancet Series: Cardiovascular Disease and Pregnancy

      The Lancet has released a new three-part series examining cardiovascular health during pregnancy and its implications across a woman’s life course. The series explores how pregnancy-related physiological changes can reveal or exacerbate cardiovascular disease, and outlines strategies for identifying and managing cardiovascular risk before, during, and after pregnancy. It also focuses on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, and on the link between adverse pregnancy outcomes and a woman’s long-term risk of cardiovascular disease. The authors highlight opportunities to shift from reactive care toward earlier prevention, risk assessment, and personalized care, including stronger coordination among cardiology, obstetrics, and other health professionals. The series emphasizes pregnancy and the postpartum period as important opportunities to support cardiovascular health and prevention throughout women’s lives.

      [Source: The Lancet] 

      Promoting Physical Activity in the Modern Workplace: A Resource Guide for Employers

      The Physical Activity Alliance (PAA) has published a new guide aimed at encouraging physical activity at work. This resource results from a collaboration between PAA, the Physical Activity Policy Research Evaluation Network (PAPREN), and various national stakeholders. It features evidence-based strategies, practical examples, and recommendations for employers to foster a healthier work environment. Access the resource here.

      [Source: PAA]

      New Course: Community-Clinical Linkages for Chronic Disease

      The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) has launched a new self-paced course, Building Healthcare Partnerships: Community-Clinical Linkages for Chronic Disease. Designed for health department staff and community-based organizations, the course offers practical strategies to strengthen connections among public health, health care, and community programs. Four interactive modules cover how health care organizations operate, how to develop and sustain partnerships, how to create effective referral processes, and how to measure success. The course takes less than two hours to complete and includes interactive activities, real-world scenarios, and practical resources that participants can apply in their communities. Participants who complete all four modules also receive a Certificate of Completion. The course is available here.

      [Source: NACDD]

      PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

      Exploring Boston’s Black Heritage Trail: Q&A with Ranger Shawn Quigley

      Alliance for a Healthier Generation is highlighting a new Walking Classroom podcast series that pairs physical activity with lessons on Boston’s Black history. Developed in partnership with the National Park Foundation, the episodes guide students through stories and historic sites along Boston’s Black Heritage Trail, which is home to one of the nation’s earliest free Black communities. National Park Service Ranger Shawn Quigley explains how walking while learning helps students connect more deeply with the people, places, and events that shaped the fight for freedom and equal education. The resource encourages young people to “walk, listen, and learn,” bringing movement into education as it explores themes of courage, community, and civic engagement. The podcasts can be used while visiting the trail or from other locations, making this active-learning experience accessible to students and educators beyond Boston.

      [Source: Alliance for a Healthier Generation]

      Movement is Culture: Indigenous Resilience Through Physically Active Lifestyles

      In recognition of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9th), the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) highlighted the important connection among physical activity, culture, and well-being in Indigenous communities. Traditional activities such as walking, running, canoeing, hunting, gathering, and games provide opportunities for movement while strengthening connections to culture, community, and the land. ISPAH also highlighted barriers that can limit opportunities for culturally meaningful physical activity. The article emphasizes the value of Indigenous-led approaches that reflect each community’s traditions, knowledge, and priorities. These efforts demonstrate how culturally meaningful movement can support physical health, social connection, and overall well-being.

      [Source: ISPAH]

      Fitness as We Age

      The Sanford Center for Aging at the University of Nevada, Reno promotes physical activity benefits for older adults through Fit & Strong!, a free, evidence-based program focused on exercise and health education. This eight-week course, held three times a week, merges guided workouts with discussions to enhance mobility, alleviate joint pain, and foster long-term physical activity habits. Exercises are adaptable for various mobility levels, including those using chairs or walkers. The program also values social connection and group support to keep participants motivated and active. Interest is rising, with 91 older adults completing the program in fiscal year 2026, nearly tripling the number from 2025.

       [Source: Nevada Today]

      New Fitness Court Aims to Keep Le Roy Moving

      The City of Le Roy, Illinois has partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and the National Fitness Campaign to bring a free outdoor Fitness Court to Gaultney Memorial Park. Designed for ages 14 and older and adaptable to different fitness levels, the court features seven exercise stations that use body weight for a full-body workout, along with a free app that offers workout guidance and fitness challenges. The project builds on Le Roy’s efforts to create an active, connected community, including park and sidewalk improvements that help residents reach recreation spaces on foot. Local leaders hope the new court will not only provide an accessible place to exercise but also serve as a community gathering space that encourages movement and social connection.

       [Source: National Fitness Campaign and WGLT Illinois]

      UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

      October

       

      November

      December

      January

      None.

       

      February

      March

        Writers: Jasmin Parker-Brown

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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.

        This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48DP006401 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.

        The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

        Prevention Research Center

        Arnold School of Public Health
        University of South Carolina
        921 Assembly Street
        3rd Floor Suite
        Columbia, SC 29208
        p: 803.777.8983

        email: uscprc@mailbox.sc.edu

        Arnold School of Public Health Logo

        Prevention Research Center

        Arnold School of Public Health
        University of South Carolina
        921 Assembly Street
        3rd Floor Suite
        Columbia, SC 29208
        p: 803.777.8983

        email: uscprc@mailbox.sc.edu

        Arnold School of Public Health Logo

        Prevention Research Center

        Arnold School of Public Health
        University of South Carolina
        921 Assembly Street
        3rd Floor Suite
        Columbia, SC 29208
        p: 803.777.8983

        email: uscprc@mailbox.sc.edu

        Arnold School of Public Health Logo