QUARTER 3: July - September 2020 | USC-PRC Notes

"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"

Topics in this issue

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

  • Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project
  • Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network III

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • 2020 American Fitness Index City Rankings
  • Applications Open for National Recreation Trail Designation
  • RWJF Funding Opportunity: Culture of Health Prize
  • WHO’s Campaign Supports At-Home Physical Activity

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

  • Congress Passes the Great American Outdoors Act

RESEARCH NOTES:

  • The Impact of Financial Incentives on Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  • Development of a National Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index in the United States: Differences by Region and Rurality
  • Relationship Between Muscle-Strengthening Activity and Cause-Specific Mortality in a Large US Cohort
  • Disparities in Youth Sports Participation in the U.S., 2017-2018
  • Preschool Environmental Influences on Physical Activity in Children with Disabilities

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

  • Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America – New Webinar by America Walks
  • HHS Releases Healthy People 2030 Physical Activity Objectives
  • Special Issue: Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

  • Boston Allocates Over $100M to Citywide Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements
  • King County, WA Awards 2020 Youth and Amateur Sports Grants
  • Cherokee, IA Regional Medical Center Benefits Trails With $160,000 Donation
  • Meet the Women Making the Outdoors More Accessible to All

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • October, November, & December

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR:

Greetings from the University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center!

I hope that this newsletter finds you in good health and good spirits. I, like many of you, have been busy with the start-up of a very different kind of semester and with the realities of juggling work and virtual schooling for my kids (if you have suggestions on how to effectively juggle, please send them my way!).

Maya Angelo wrote, “Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Invite one to stay.”  The current times have made hope a bit more challenging…I have great days, and I have hard days – and some days the great and the hard change from hour to hour! I am guessing that all of you can relate.

One of the things that has helped me cope with this time of uncertainty (and fear) and experience more joy (and hope) is…well, you guessed it…physical activity! A few years ago, I was lucky enough to get connected with a group of women who come together to be active. Some of us have continued to run together for most of the pandemic. Many days, getting out to run with friends was the only “live” connection I had with someone outside of my immediate family. It was one of the only things that made life feel somewhat normal. The physical and social aspects of physical activity helped to reduce my stress. I applaud the work that all of you are doing to help people and communities become more active – I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that physical activity can be transformative.

And finally, speaking of hope, our Center has launched our core research project – the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Online Training program. We’re so excited to get it off the ground! I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a hardworking team that genuinely cares about the project and the impact it has on communities.

Thank you for reading our newsletter. 

If you like it, please share it with a friend or colleague!

- Sara Wilcox

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project

Recruitment is now open for the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Online Training Program! The PRC’s FAN program completed a pilot study and the results guided revisions for the launch of the national implementation study! The first session of the training begins on October 1, 2020 and about 25 churches will be participating. The next session is scheduled to start in January 2021. Please contact the program coordinators if you know a church that is interested in joining. The training includes eight self-paced weekly interactive lessons designed to teach churches how to create a healthier church environment that supports physical activity and healthy eating in the church setting. To learn more about the training or to sign up to participate, please visit the PRC website.

The UofSC PRC Physical Activity and Public Health (PAPH) professional development meeting is held monthly to discuss emerging research and public health innovations for physical activity. The first PAPH meeting of the Fall semester was held via zoom on Sept 16th. Attendees included the PRC network, Behavioral-Biomedical Interface Program (UofSC T32), and PAPH professional development members. The meeting was facilitated by Sara Wilcox and Marilyn Wende. ​Together, they led a discussion about the Knowledge to Action (K2A) Framework and shared an example of how the USC PRC is using the model to develop criteria for whether a program/policy/tool is ready for translation. If you’d like to learn more about the K2A framework, click here. If you’d like to learn more about PAPH professional development meetings or attend the next meeting, you can contact Andrew Kaczynski via email.

Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network III

Congratulations to 3 of SC-CPCRN’s undergraduate students who are primary authors on a manuscript highlighting the partnership between the SC-CPCRN and South Carolina Cancer Alliance on community-based prostate education in rural SC.

Troy, C., Brunson, A., Goldsmith, A., Noblet, S., Steck, S.E., Hebert, J.R., Payne, J., McCormick, D., & Friedman, D.B. (2020 June 20 Epub). Implementing community-based prostate cancer education in rural South Carolina: A collaborative approach through a statewide cancer alliance. Journal of Cancer Education (DOI: 10.1007/s13187-020-01800-7)

SC-CPCRN and Emory University are leading a CPCRN network-wide Scholars Workgroup. This Workgroup strives to educate students, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, practitioners, and other health professionals in dissemination and implementation (D&I) science focused on cancer prevention and control and health equity. The call for scholar applications will be open later this fall!

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

2020 American Fitness Index City Rankings

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Anthem Foundation have released the 2020 American Fitness Index city rankings. Rankings are calculated based on several city-level health and environmental indices, including resident health behaviors and outcomes, walkability, access to recreational facilities, and policy support for active lifestyles. Scores are calculated and ranked for the country’s 100 largest cities to understand whether certain public resources are available in each location. Arlington, VA ranked as America’s Fittest City for the third consecutive year, while Seattle, WA, and Minneapolis, MN, were ranked second and third, respectively. ACSM also released a city comparison tool which offers insight into overall and sub-index scores.
[Source:American College of Sports Medicine]

Applications Open for National Recreation Trail Designation

The National Recreation Trails (NRT) Program provides services to preserve and recognize scenic trails and greenways throughout the United States. Each year, the NRT designation is awarded to eligible trails and greenways by the Secretary of the Interior. To receive the NRT designation, trails must be open for public use, have no gaps, and be designed and maintained according to best practices. Any public or private trail manager is eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2020.
[Source: American Trails]

RWJF Funding Opportunity: Culture of Health Prize

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize funds U.S. communities to optimize resources and policies that promote health among all community members, with specific focus on education, jobs, transportation, and housing. As many as 10 communities will be selected to receive a $25,000 cash prize. Applications that emphasize the breadth and success of community-wide partnership initiatives already in place will be prioritized. Interested applicants can review stories about past award winners here and sign up to receive information and updates from RWJF. Applications will be accepted online until October 15th.
[Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation]

WHO’s Campaign Supports At-Home Physical Activity

In response to increasing sedentary behavior and decreased physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the #HealthyAtHome campaign. The campaign highlights the benefits of regular physical activity that may also decrease susceptibility to COVID-19: improved weight management and reduced risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers. Suggestions for at-home physical activity include viewing online exercise classes, dancing to music, playing active video games, skipping rope, and doing muscle strength and balance training. #HealthyAtHome social media campaign graphics are also available for download on the WHO website.
[Source: WHO]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

Congress Passes the Great American Outdoors Act

The Great American Outdoors Act passed with bipartisan support by Congress at the end of July, and was signed into law by the President on August 4th. The legislation will provide $9.5 billion from energy development revenues over a five-year period to support development and maintenance at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and American Indian schools. The Act secured an additional $900 million from offshore oil and gas revenues to finance the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Restore Our Parks Act. The LWCF is a key source of funding for local parks and recreation projects across the country. Parks, trails, and greenspaces play an important role in physical and mental wellbeing and have been a source of refuge for many Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[Source:The Hill]

RESEARCH NOTES:

The Impact of Financial Incentives on Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Behavioral economics uses an understanding of human psychology to account for why people deviate from rational action for decision making. Aspects of behavioral economics, like providing financial incentives, can be applied to health interventions to motivate participants to increase physical activity (PA). This recent review synthesized 51 randomized controlled trials examining the effects of financial incentives on adult PA and found that financial incentives significantly increased leisure-time PA and walking behavior. Overall, PA increases lessened after the intervention ceased, but remained significant for leisure-time PA. No effects were observed for total minutes of PA, calories expended, or in the proportion of participants meeting PA guidelines.
[Source: Luong, Hall, Bennell, Kasza, Harris, & Hinman (2020). The Impact of Financial Incentives on Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Health Promotion.]

Development of a National Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index in the United States: Differences by Region and Rurality

Environmental factors are associated with physical activity and healthy eating among youth. The USC Prevention Research Center's Dr. Andrew Kaczynski and colleagues have developed an index to measure obesogenic environments for youth across the United States. Findings from this study show that obesogenic counties were more prevalent in the South region compared to the Northeast, Midwest, and West. Metropolitan areas exhibited significantly lower obesogenic environment scores compared to micropolitan and rural areas. This index can be applied to benchmark obesogenic environments and identify geographic disparities and intervention targets.
[Source: Kaczynski, Eberth, Stowe, Wende, Liese, McLain, Breneman, & Josey (2020). Development of a national childhood obesogenic environment index in the United States: differences by region and rurality. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.]

Relationship Between Muscle-Strengthening Activity and Cause-Specific Mortality in a Large US Cohort

Muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) is known to have acute and long-term beneficial health effects, but little is known about its relationship with mortality. Authors of this article analyzed data from 72,462 participants in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort (collected from 1982-2014) to understand the association between MSA and all-cause mortality. Researchers found that engaging in less than 2 hours/week of MSA was significantly associated with reduced all-cause mortality but engaging in more than two hours per week of MSA was not associated with all-cause mortality. The association did not vary by aerobic physical activity level.
[Source: Patel, Hodge, Rees-Punia, Teras, Campbell, & Gapstur (2020). Relationship Between Muscle-Strengthening Activity and Cause-Specific Mortality in a Large US Cohort. Preventing Chronic Disease.]

Disparities in Youth Sports Participation in the U.S., 2017-2018

A recent article outlined disparities in youth sports participation in the United States from 2017 to 2018. Among youth aged 6-17 years, 57.7% of U.S. youth participated in sports. Youth sports participation was highest among ages 10-13 years, males, and white, non-Hispanic children. Additionally, sports participation significantly increased as caregiver education and household income increased. Despite high participation in youth sports overall, substantial disparities existed by race/ethnicity, household education level, and household income level. These demographic participation disparities were more pronounced among younger youth.
[Source: Hyde, Omura, Fulton, Lee, Peircy, & Carlson (2020). Disparities in Youth Sports Participation in the U.S., 2017–2018. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.]

Preschool Environmental Influences on Physical Activity in Children with Disabilities

Research suggests that physical activity (PA) among young children with developmental disabilities is influenced by physical and social environmental features of behavioral settings. A recent study described associations between physical and social environmental features of preschools and PA behaviors of preschool-aged children with developmental disabilities. Despite children being sedentary for most of the observed intervals, they were 4.8 times more likely to be physically active outdoors compared with indoors. PA was more likely to occur in open spaces and when using portable play equipment compared with closed spaces and fixed playground equipment. PA was also more likely to occur when in solitary or one-on-one group contexts compared to in large groups with an adult present.
[Source: Schenkelberg, McIver, Brown & Pate (2020). Preschool Environmental Influences on Physical Activity in Children with Disabilities. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.]

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America – New Webinar by America Walks

America Walks and Angie Schmitt (an author and journalist on the topic of sustainable transportation) hosted a webinar in September focused on Schmitt’s new book, Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America. The book shines a light on the marginalized populations that are disproportionately the victims of traffic violence: immigrants, People of Color, those with lower incomes, the elderly, and the disabled. Part of the discussion focused on debunking the idea that pedestrian deaths are unavoidable accidents but are instead a byproduct of structural racism. Schmitt holds that these events occur in predictable, geographic patterns that reflect systemic inequalities. The full webinar is available online.
[Source:America Walks]   

HHS Releases Healthy People 2030 Physical Activity Objectives

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released the objectives for Healthy People 2030, a decade-long initiative to address pressing public health concerns in the country. The Healthy People goals have been released every ten years since their inception in 1980 by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). The 2030 goals include 23 core physical activity-focused objectives for people of all ages. Objectives aim to improve individual physical activity, as well as environmental support for physical activity in schools and workplaces. Progress on these 23 objectives will be tracked and reported by the ODPHP between 2020 and 2030.
[Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

Special Issue: Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

The Journal of Sport and Health Science published a special issue addressing the importance of physical activity (PA) during the coronavirus pandemic. Authors from around the world proposed emergent topics: (a) PA as a way to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus; (b) the development of PA measurement techniques that are relevant in this pandemic context; (c) changes in PA behaviors as a result of social distancing measures; (d) addressing disparities in PA; (e) developing and evaluating interventions that address social, cultural, and built environment factors to increase PA; and (f) translating the research into practice and policy for the current and future pandemics. The goal of the issue is to assist in developing a global public health research agenda on PA in the aftermath of COVID-19.
[Source: Journal of Sport and Health Science]

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

Boston Allocates Over $100M to Citywide Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements

Amid the great uncertainty of the global coronavirus pandemic, Boston passed a $3.65 billion fiscal year 2021 operating budget and a $3 billion fiscal year 2021-2025 capital plan. The fiscal year 2021 budget includes investments to create equitable opportunities for active transport so all residents can move easily and safely around Boston. These new investments, from bike lanes to reconstructed sidewalks, will go a long way toward ensuring that outdoor physical activity is safe for all.
[Source: American Heart Association]

King County, WA Awards 2020 Youth and Amateur Sports Grants

The King County, WA, Natural Resources and Parks Department has announced the recipients of the 2020 Youth and Amateur Sports Grants program. The program provides over $600,000 annually to support programs that provide equitable access to physical activity opportunities for all King County youth. It has been funded since 1993 by a 1% car rental tax. The 2020 awardees include 19 different community organizations and programs, all focused on youth sport and physical activity. The largest grant was awarded to Auburn Parks and Recreation for the development of an inclusive bike skills park and pump track.
[Source: King County Natural Resources and Parks Department]

Cherokee, IA Regional Medical Center Benefits Trails With $160,000 Donation

Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee, IA, has pledged $160,000 to support the local Cherokee Trail System. The funds will be used to promote physical activity within the city of Cherokee by improving trails and developing a new, centrally located park. The park, when completed, will include over two miles of paved and soft trails, and will serve as an important connector to other outlying city trails. The funds will also be used to support future trail construction around the city of Cherokee, including a six-mile city loop trail. Cherokee Regional Medical Center leaders cited the importance of supporting community health and activity as the catalyst for the donation.
[Source: Cherokee Chronicle Times]

Meet the Women Making the Outdoors More Accessible to All

For many individuals, accessing an inclusive outdoor space can be a daunting task. Several inspiring women are working tirelessly to change that impression, and to make outdoor spaces more accessible for people of all gender identities, races, ethnicities, and abilities. This article highlights people such as Evelynn Escobar, who started Hike Clerb, an intersectional womxn’s hike club that ensures accessibility for members when hiking trails. Jaylyn Gough is another inspiring individual who started Native Women’s Wilderness, an online platform that uplifts Native women, provides opportunities for Native women to explore their own ancestral lands, and educates both Native and non-Native people about the land they choose to explore. Check out the full article to hear more about these influential role models!
[Source: Condé Nast Traveler]

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

Annual American School Health Association School Health Conference
September 30 - October 1, 2020
Virtual event

European Public Health Association (EUPHA) Annual Conference
October 12 - 16, 2020
Virtual event

American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
October 24 - 28, 2020
Virtual event

International Council on Active Aging Conference
October 27 - 28 & November 5-6, 2020
Virtual event

National Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference
October 27 - 29, 2020
Virtual event

13th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health
December 15 - 17, 2020
Virtual event

Writers: Kelsey Day and Marilyn Wende

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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.