QUARTER 4: October- December 2025 | 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 

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • New Global Coalition to Tackle Record Child Physical Inactivity Levels
  • Request for Proposals – NACDD’s Million Hearts® Advancing Cardiac Rehabilitation through Public Health Jurisdictions

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

  • January, February, March

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

  • Medicare Greenlights Coverage for Physical Activity Assessments, Boosting Exercise Referral Efforts

RESEARCH NOTES:

  •  Neighborhoods and Incident Cardiometabolic Disease in People with Disability
  • Physical Activity as a Modifiable Risk Factor in Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
  •  Health and Implementation Outcomes of Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) for Women: A Single-Arm Intervention Study

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

  • Transforming Rural Health Through Lifestyle Medicine—A New Framework from ACLM
  • New ‘Heart Percentile Calculator Helps Young Adults Grasp Their Long-term Risk
  •  New APHA Press Book Calls for Advancing Equity and Justice in Public Health Practice
  • New Data from NRPA Highlights Community Value of Mixed-Age Recreation

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

  • Thousands of State of Georgia Employees Walk 880 million Steps to Benefit Title I Schools
  • Pennsylvania Veteran Helping Other Veterans with PTSD Through Fitness

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • February, March, April, May

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR:

Let’s be honest: 2025 hasn’t exactly been easy! Around the world, and right here at home, we’ve seen political upheaval, public health struggles, challenges to higher education and science, and deep uncertainty in our communities. It’s been heavy. Many people are hurting. And on some days, it’s tempting to just throw up our hands and say, “That’s it, I’m done.”

I wish I had the answers to fix it all. But lately, I’ve found myself coming back to a small, powerful book by one of my favorite authors, Anne Lamott: Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. Whether or not you’re a person of faith, Lamott’s message feels universal. These three words capture how we can face life—and maybe even find a bit of peace within it.

Help: Asking for support when we need it (because we all do).

Thanks: Recognizing and appreciating the good that’s still here.

Wow: Allowing ourselves to be amazed by the beauty that somehow persists through it all.

Inspired by that spirit, I’ve been trying (emphasis on trying!) to hold onto a few habits that help me stay grounded. None of these are revolutionary, but they’re gentle reminders that small actions matter—for our sanity, for our joy, and for each other.
Spend time with your people. Seek out those who make you laugh, who refill your cup, who remind you who you are.

Stop waiting for “someday.” Don’t save joy for later — plan that hike, join that book club, book that weekend getaway. I’m finally getting better at this one!
Stay informed, but don’t drown in the noise. Doomscrolling is real — and it will drag you down. The research backs that up.

Do good, however you can. Volunteer, donate, smile, compliment, show up. Big change starts with small kindnesses.
Notice kindness. The world can look dark, but every day, people are out there doing good. See and celebrate them.
Practice gratitude and honesty. Be thankful for the good in your life, but also reach out when you’re struggling. People can’t help if they don’t know.

Vote. Especially in local elections. Change begins closest to home.

Care for yourself. Eat well, rest, move, and know it’s okay to pause. Breaks are part of the work. When I’m most resistant to taking a break, I know I’m most in need of it.
As we close this challenging year, I hope you find moments of Help, Thanks, and Wow in your own life.
Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah, a Joyful Kwanzaa, a Merry Christmas, and a truly Happy New Year. Here’s to a 2026 filled with light, laughter, and hope.

— Sara Wilcox

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

Update from the USC PRC

USC PRC Director, Sara Wilcox, presented at the 18th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health. The presentation focused on how the USC PRC transitioned from one conceptual implementation framework to a revised framework (Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research).

Health Promotion Practice created a podcast that focused on a publication led by Dr. Wilcox. The podcast and publication were about church committees’ experiences with the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) online training program in the national implementation study (2019-2024 funding cycle).

The PRC also released the fifth PAPH Podcast episode, Building Healthy Communities: From Local Coalitions to State Actions. The new episode features USC’s Dr. Andy Kaczynski and Dara Brown discussing community design and partnerships that promote physical activity, highlighting South Carolina initiatives that support walkability, active transportation, and healthier living. You can find the new podcast episode here.

2025 kept us on our toes! This year, the PRC:

  • Attended the PRC Network Kick-Off in Atlanta
  • Convened 9 Community Advisory Board meetings to guide our 2024-2029 core research project
  • Published 15 articles across all projects and 2 plain language briefs
  • Continued to support the Health Ministries Association’s administration of the FAN online training program
  • Created a podcast episode with Ms. Dara Brown from the SC Department of Public Health focused on strategies for promoting physical activity through community design and multisector partnerships
  • Was spotlighted in a podcast from the Health Promotion Practice journal for a publication on the online training in FAN from the national implementation study
  • Hosted 7 physical activity and public health professional development seminars
  • Provided training experiences for 6 students
  • Disseminated 4 quarterly e-newsletters
  • Welcomed PRC Intervention Coordinator, Rev. Ben Pratt, and Ms. Ijeoma Ibeh, Graduate Assistant, to the PRC team
  • Congratulated Ms. Madi Schaaf, Graduate Research Assistant, on graduating
  • Congratulated Ms. Deborah Kinnard, former USC PRC Deputy Director, on her new position as Deputy Director of Administration & Planning at the Center for Civil Rights History and Research at USC.

 

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

New Global Coalition to Tackle Record Child Physical Inactivity Levels

A new global partnership, the Active Children Coalition (ACC), has launched to address rising levels of physical inactivity among children and adolescents worldwide. The coalition brings together leading international organizations (International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA), International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH), the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance (AHKGA), Cities for Better Health (Novo Nordisk), and the University of Southern Denmark) to coordinate strategies that create more opportunities for young people to move and play every day. By connecting schools, community programs, and public health partners, the ACC aims to strengthen environments that support healthy development and lifelong well-being. This collaborative effort highlights the growing need for shared solutions so all children can thrive through active, healthy lifestyles. Learn more information about the ACC and their partners through their website. 

[Source: Active Children Coalition]

Request for Proposals – NACDD’s Million Hearts® Advancing Cardiac Rehabilitation through Public Health Jurisdictions

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD)’s Million Hearts® announced a new funding opportunity focusing on advancing cardiac rehabilitation through public health jurisdictions to help communities make cardiac rehabilitation more accessible. The initiative will award up to six health departments with grants of up to $50,000 to boost referrals, increase patient participation, and test new approaches such as virtual cardiac rehab. This opportunity will support public health organizations seeking to strengthen cardiovascular health services in their communities, especially for populations facing disparities in access to care. The deadline for applications is January 6, 2026, and the funded projects will take place from February to July 2026. Details about NACDD’s new call for proposals can be found here.

 

[Source: NACDD]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

 

MARCH

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

Medicare Greenlights Coverage for Physical Activity Assessments, Boosting Exercise Referral Efforts

The American College of Sports Medicine announces that starting on January 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will pay for “physical activity assessments.” In other words, doctors will be able to charge for a 5- to 15-minute check of a patient’s diet and exercise every six months. This is a big step toward making things like exercise more important in medical care as a sign of wellness. Putting physical activity on the same level as other important health measures could help more people get exercise recommendations during routine health visits. This is especially true for people who find it challenging to stay active. HL7 FHIR Physical Activity Implementation Guide supports this new development by allowing health systems to easily access and integrate the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans into electronic health records. 

[Source: ACSM]

RESEARCH NOTES:

Neighborhoods and Incident Cardiometabolic Disease in People with Disability

A new study of 27,224 adults with physical disabilities found that the state of their neighborhoods can have a substantial effect on their risk of getting heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Researchers looked at Medicare beneficiaries with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury over three years. During that period, nearly half of them (49.5%) received a diagnosis of a cardiometabolic disease. The study found that living in neighborhoods with more recreational spaces and less traffic was linked to a lower risk of cardiometabolic disease incidence, while a higher density of grocery stores was associated with an increased risk of disease. These findings indicate that social determinants of health (SDOH), such as individuals’ residential, occupational, and recreational environments, play an important role in heightening health risks for people with disabilities and should be considered when working to address persistent cardiometabolic disparities faced by those with disabilities. 

[Source: Clarke, P. J., Tan, N., Lin, P., Kamdar, N., & Meade, M. A. (2025). Neighborhoods and Incident Cardiometabolic Disease in People With Disability. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 69(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2025.108001]

Physical Activity as a Modifiable Risk Factor in Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease

A new longitudinal study of nearly 300 older adults with no cognitive impairment found that regular walking, tracked by pedometers, was associated with a slower buildup of harmful brain changes and slower declines in memory and daily functioning linked to early Alzheimer’s disease. Although exercise did not affect amyloid levels, individuals who walked more steps each day showed a slower increase in tau protein, a major marker of Alzheimer’s symptoms. The delayed accumulation of tau may help explain the protective effects of walking and physical activity on cognition. Notable benefits were observed at easily attainable activity levels, such as 3,000 to 5,000 steps per day, which were associated with noticeable reductions in cognitive decline. The most significant effects were sustained at approximately 5,000 to 7,500 steps per day. These results indicate that moderate, regular physical activity may contribute to delaying the onset of early Alzheimer’s-related decline and underscore the importance of reducing physical inactivity, particularly among older adults at heightened risk

[Source: Yau, WY.W., Kirn, D.R., Rabin, J.S. et al. Physical activity as a modifiable risk factor in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03955-6]

Health and Implementation Outcomes of Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) for Women: A Single-Arm Intervention Study

A recently adapted version of the lifestyle program Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) was modified from an earlier program designed for men to a program for women to reflect women’s preferences and life experiences. The intervention included 90-minute, in-person sessions led by a Hockey FIT coach. These sessions featured interactive education focused on health behavior change (physical activity and healthy eating) and group-based physical activity (aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility). Participants (n = 60) took part in the program and completed assessments at baseline and after 12 weeks. The primary outcome, average daily steps, was measured using accelerometer-based step counters. Secondary outcomes included self-reported physical activity and sitting duration, dietary habits, self-assessed health, well-being, social support, estimated fitness (VO₂ max), and weight. Participants increased their daily steps by an average of 1,318 steps and showed significant improvements in total physical activity, healthier eating patterns, and indicators of well-being. However, the study did not observe significant changes in sitting time, overall fitness (VO₂ max), or weight over the 12-week period. Many participants reported feeling stronger, more energized, and better informed about healthy lifestyle habits. These findings suggest that a gender-specific, socially supportive program like Hockey FIT can successfully promote lifestyle changes and may represent a promising approach to chronic disease prevention among women.

[Source: Kfrerer, M. L., Majoni, M., Gill, D. P., Riggin, B., Blunt, W. M., Ashe, M. C., & Petrella, R. J. (2025). Health and Implementation Outcomes of Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) for Women: A Single-Arm Intervention Study. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 15(1), ibaf075. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaf075]

 

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

Transforming rural health through lifestyle medicine—A New Framework from ACLM

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has introduced a new framework for rural health systems to improve outcomes by focusing on the root causes of chronic disease. The new framework was introduced as a part of ACLM’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The model focuses on six lifestyle components: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, social connection, and abstinence from harmful substances. These elements can help prevent and control conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The framework encourages rural clinicians to be trained in lifestyle medicine and how to build community partnerships to support patient access to additional health resources that include healthy food, secure areas for physical activity, and social support. This new framework also aligns with new funding opportunities by giving states and health systems useful tools to shift upstream toward prevention, rather than reactive-based care. Overall, ACLM’s aim with this new resource is to make rural communities stronger by creating care models that are more sustainable and equitable for all citizens’ health. You can access the framework here, and more information about ACLM’s Transforming Rural Health Program can be found here. 

[Source: ACLM]

New ‘Heart Percentile’ Calculator Helps Young Adults Grasp Their Long-term Risk

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new online heart disease calculator that allows adults between the ages of 30 and 59 to estimate their 30-year risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. The tool also allows users to compare their results with those of others of the same age and sex. It uses equations and well-known risk factors from the American Heart Association, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status, diabetes history, and kidney function, to calculate both an absolute risk and a percentile ranking among approximately 100 peers. The calculator makes risk easier to understand by presenting long-term cardiovascular risk in a familiar format. Researchers hope the tool will encourage users to discuss heart health and take preventive steps, such as making healthier decisions earlier rather than later.

The PREVENT 30-year risk percentiles tool can be accessed through Northwestern online.

[Source: Northwestern Now]

 

New APHA Press book calls for advancing equity and justice in public health practice

The American Public Health Association (APHA) has released a new resource titled Strategic Skills for Public Health Practice: Advancing Equity and Justice. It urges public health professionals to view their work as part of a larger movement centered on equity, justice, and community leadership. The APHA Press book provides practical guidance by integrating traditional public health tools, such as research, evaluation, and policy, with historical knowledge, systems analysis, community contexts, and lived experiences. This resource focuses on addressing the root causes of health disparities, including systemic racism, structural oppression, and power imbalances, rather than merely treating the symptoms. APHA ultimately encourages public health organizations, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders at all levels to prioritize justice and equity in their planning, budgeting, and outreach efforts so that everyone can benefit from environments that promote health. The resource is available through APHA’s online bookstore.

[Source: APHA]

 

New Data from NRPA Highlights Community Value of Mixed-Age Recreation

A recent National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) survey found that many people support recreation programs that bring children and older adults together. The survey found that 93% of adults in the U.S. agreed that parks and recreation agency-organized multigenerational programs are beneficial for both older adults and children. The results indicate that mixed-age recreation is not just a nice extra; it is viewed as a valuable community asset that helps connect people of different ages, build relationships, and improve community health. This further supports the idea that investing in parks and recreation programs that are open to all ages and abilities can improve the health, unity, and equity of everyone in a community. Survey data and key findings can be found here.

[Source: NPRA]

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

Thousands of State of Georgia Employees Walk 880 million Steps to Benefit Title I Schools

Thousands of State of Georgia employees took part in Jump Shot for Health, a four-month steps challenge, and together logged nearly 880 million steps to support disadvantaged (Title I) schools across the state. Participating public-sector workers, including school staff and state employees, joined school-based “teams,” and 12% logged more than one million steps individually. As a result, top-performing schools will receive new sports equipment and renovated basketball courts, making the challenge a community-building effort that boosts both personal well-being and school resources. More information about the Jump Shot for Health challenge and the winners is available online.

[Source: Sharecare]

Pennsylvania veteran helping other veterans with PTSD through fitness

U.S. Army veteran Erica Liermann faced depression, anxiety, and a difficult transition back to civilian life after multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. She credits regular exercise with helping her manage her symptoms, rebuild her confidence, and reclaim her sense of direction. Determined to turn her experience with PTSD into purpose, Liermann founded Dub Fitness in King of Prussia, PA, a space designed to be more than just a gym. It’s a supportive hub where veterans and community members can strengthen both their physical and mental health. Liermann’s mission is to provide a safe, encouraging environment where people feel comfortable, grow stronger, and connect with others. Many members describe the gym as a family, and Liermann says the support and shared commitment to wellness helped her rediscover her sense of purpose.

[Source: CBS Philadelphia News]

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

February

    March

    April

    May

      Writer: Jasmin Parker-Brown

      To submit an item, please e-mail the USC PRC at uscprc@mailbox.sc.edu.

      For continuing discussions about physical activity, join the Physical Activity and Public Health On-Line Network listserv. Instructions are located on our website, at https://prevention.sph.sc.edu/listserv/.

      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.

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