The “Effective Walking and Walkability Interventions” webinar part 1, from August 2016, highlighted different evidence-based strategies that would increase physical activity, specifically walking in communities. Important populations, vulnerable or underrepresented racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups at risk for inactivity was a group that they wanted to include throughout their discussion. Dr. Gregory Heath began by highlighting a few improvement areas needed to progress in order to move forward as a whole; an increased knowledge about physical activity benefits, increased awareness about ways to increase physical activity in the community, explain how to overcome barriers and negative attitudes about physical activity, and increase participation in community-based activities. By improving in these four areas, as a whole, we should be much more active and healthier.
Dr. Heath continued by addressing successful characteristics specific to community-wide campaigns, with examples. “Wheeling Walks” was a community-wide campaign that targeted 50-65-year-old for adults meeting CDC/ACSM physical activity recommendations. Making the campaign as specific as possible helps the target population know that this is available and helps generate the needed participants. In public health, basing the design off of theories like the planned behavior and trans theoretical model as behavioral guides will often help your argument when applied correctly. Dr. NiCole Keith made the point that implementation of community-based physical activity campaigns have many barriers and challenges. She suggests that the Multiple streams framework could help move physical activity into population’s health because this theory addresses problems of politics and policy changes.
Practitioners would be able to use this information in many ways. Including minority groups and not just focusing on the majority groups was often discussed in this webinar. Dr. Keith made the point that often times those minority groups are the ones at risk and more needing of assistance, whether informational or resources. Dr. Chanam Lee promoted to design communities in a way that makes it safe and easy for people of all ages and abilities to walk. Doing that, along with promoting programs and policies to support walking where people live, learn, work, and play are two ways to improve walkability.
Improve our roadways (make more inviting with sidewalks, crossing lights, and bicycle lanes), local walking/bicycle days, and the opportunities to save money while being active are all common ways try to get communities to use more active transportation routes.
Any other (hopefully low-cost) ways that come to mind that could increase community walkability?
(I remember hearing of a weekend carnival type setup with a few location spots. Each location has few games/activities and can get stamp/sticker, then walk or bike to the other locations and get all stamps to get some prize (certificate, t-shirt, food coupons, local businesses). But that takes many volunteers and resources, so I am curious to hear if anyone has any local ideas that could promote more active transportation?