While routine physical activity is critical to optimal health, residents of low-income Los Angeles communities are less likely to exercise than those in high-income communities, and they are less likely to use their neighborhood parks, even when the parks are within walking distance. Parks in low-income neighborhoods tend to be smaller and serve a greater population density, but even after accounting for the size and population served, they are still used less than parks in wealthier neighborhoods. In our preliminary studies we found that parks in low-income neighborhoods also had fewer part-time staff and offered fewer programs and organized activities than parks in higher-income areas, and these factors accounted for their lower use. Parks in low-income neighborhoods are often perceived as less safe, a characteristic associated with lower use. Simultaneously, the lack of use and dearth of programming may contribute to a perception of lack of safety, creating a vicious cycle. Nonetheless, we have documented that when parks in low-income neighborhoods offer events and activities, they can be just as busy as parks in higher-income areas. We hypothesize that limited park use in low- income areas can be attributed to the lack of organized and reliable infrastructure of activities that meet the needs of local residents, an infrastructure that is more reliable and often taken for granted in higher income neighborhoods. The proposed study has three specific aims: 1) Using a full factorial design, compare whether park use and population physical activity in low-income neighborhoods increase with the availability of a) more organized physical activity classes, including zumba, line dancing, and aerobics indoors and outdoors and/or b) a loyalty program approach that rewards frequent park users. 2) Determine whether either of these two approaches changes the perception of park safety and neighborhood safety. 3) Identify the cost effectiveness of both approaches in terms of dollars spent to generate increased physical activity in parks as measured through systematic observation. Our study will document all the steps required for implementing and maintaining two physical activity promotion interventions-- one a standard approach offering traditional organized physical activity programs, the other an innovative application of popular customer loyalty programs. We will determine their impact on physical activity and their cost-effectiveness.

Public Health Relevance

Physical activity and use of local parks is lower among residents in low-income neighborhoods than higher income neighborhoods. We hypothesize that this difference can be explained by a lower level of programming in parks in low income areas, rather than by differences in individual preferences. The proposed study will determine whether the provision of opportunities for physical activity in parks in low income neighborhoods can increase park use and park-based physical activity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HL114283-01A1
Application #
8458841
Study Section
Health Disparities and Equity Promotion Study Section (HDEP)
Program Officer
Boyington, Josephine
Project Start
2013-02-01
Project End
2017-01-31
Budget Start
2013-02-01
Budget End
2014-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$768,426
Indirect Cost
$239,264
Name
Rand Corporation
Department
Type
DUNS #
006914071
City
Santa Monica
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90401
Park, Sujeong; Han, Bing; Cohen, Deborah A et al. (2018) Contributions of Neighborhood Parks to Physical Activity in High-Poverty Urban Neighborhoods. J Urban Health 95:881-887
Han, Bing; Cohen, Deborah A; Derose, Kathryn P et al. (2018) Violent Crime and Park Use in Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods. Am J Prev Med 54:352-358
Derose, Kathryn P; Han, Bing; Williamson, Stephanie et al. (2018) Gender Disparities in Park Use and Physical Activity among Residents of High-Poverty Neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Womens Health Issues 28:6-13
Cohen, Deborah A; Han, Bing; Derose, Kathryn P et al. (2017) Promoting physical activity in high-poverty neighborhood parks: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Soc Sci Med 186:130-138
Cohen, Deborah; Han, Bing; Derose, Kathryn P et al. (2016) CicLAvia: Evaluation of participation, physical activity and cost of an open streets event in Los Angeles. Prev Med 90:26-33
Cohen, Deborah A; Han, Bing; Derose, Kathryn P et al. (2016) The Paradox of Parks in Low-Income Areas: Park Use and Perceived Threats. Environ Behav 48:230-245
Han, Bing; Cohen, Deborah A; Derose, Kathryn Pitkin et al. (2016) Validation of a New Counter for Direct Observation of Physical Activity in Parks. J Phys Act Health 13:140-4
Liu, Jodi L; Han, Bing; Cohen, Deborah A (2015) Associations between eating occasions and places of consumption among adults. Appetite 87:199-204
Liu, Jodi L; Han, Bing; Cohen, Deborah A (2015) Beyond Neighborhood Food Environments: Distance Traveled to Food Establishments in 5 US Cities, 2009-2011. Prev Chronic Dis 12:E126
Han, Bing; Cohen, Deborah A; Derose, Kathryn P et al. (2015) Effectiveness of a Free Exercise Program in a Neighborhood Park. Prev Med Rep 2:255-258

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