Increasing Access to Physical Activity Within Low Income and Diverse Communities: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health
• Health Equity

Background:

• Access to physical activity is unequal in low-income and diverse communities.
• Community-based interventions are crucial for promoting health equity.
• The Active Living by Design (ALbD) Community Action Model provides a framework for sustainable change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify best practices for increasing physical activity opportunities in underserved populations.
• To examine the application of the ALbD Community Action Model's 6 essential practices in community interventions.
• To assess how partnerships can drive meaningful and sustainable community change.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Psych INFO, Social Science Citation Index, Cochrane Library).
• Articles were screened by title, abstract, and full text based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Included studies were evaluated against the 6 essential practices of the ALbD model.

Main Results:

• 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, primarily case studies from the United States.
• Intervention approaches included built environment changes, community programs, partnerships, and policy changes.
• Only 2 studies fully adhered to all 6 ALbD essential practices; few met more than two.

Conclusions:

• Limited documented successes highlight the need for improved strategies to address physical activity inequalities.
• Existing interventions often lack key components for creating sustainable community-level change.
• Future research should utilize the ALbD ecological framework to guide the development of sustainable physical activity access initiatives.