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Evidence-Based Decision Making When Designing Environments for Physical Activity: The Role of Public Health

Pilkington, Paul; Powell, Jane; Davis, Adrian

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Authors

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Jane Powell Jane.Powell@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Public Health Economics

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Dr Adrian Davis Adrian.Davis@uwe.ac.uk
SRF Behaviour Chge and Transitional Res



Abstract

© 2016, The Author(s). The important role that the environment plays in health and well-being is widely accepted, as is the impact that the built and natural environment can have on levels of physical activity. As levels of physical activity are a key determinant of health, promoting physical activity through actions to improve the environment is a priority for public health action. The challenge for public health is to ensure that the way the environment is shaped and transformed by a range of professionals, organisations and agencies, maximises health gain in relation to health, including physical activity. This article discusses how the public health profession can and should contribute to generating and disseminating evidence to inform decision-making processes for designing environments to promote physical activity. There are significant challenges to building and applying the evidence base in this area. These include the complex environments in which interventions operate, disciplinary differences in approaches to evidence generation and use, and the fact that public health has little responsibility for environmental change. However, case studies of best practice, presented in the article, offer a snapshot of how challenges can be overcome, to build an accessible evidence base and help to improve the environment for the promotion of physical activity.

Citation

Pilkington, P., Powell, J., & Davis, A. (2016). Evidence-Based Decision Making When Designing Environments for Physical Activity: The Role of Public Health. Sports Medicine, 46(7), 997-1002. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0469-6

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 15, 2015
Publication Date Jul 1, 2016
Deposit Date Feb 5, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Sports Medicine
Print ISSN 0112-1642
Electronic ISSN 1179-2035
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 46
Issue 7
Pages 997-1002
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0469-6
Keywords evidence-based decision making, environments, physical activity, role of public health
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/914286
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0469-6

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