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Published on: March 7, 2019
COVID-19: Implications for Physical Activity, Health Disparities, and Health Equity
Rebecca Hasson1, James F Sallis1, Nailah Coleman1
1Schools of Kinesiology and Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (RH); Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (JFS); The Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC (NC); Department of Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana (NK); Department of Health and Human Performance, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire (VGN); and Department of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana (NRK).
Physical activity is crucial for health and immunity, especially during COVID-19. This review identifies strategies to improve equitable access to physical activity programs and spaces, reducing health disparities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
- Health Equity
Background:
- Physical activity is vital for mental, physical, and immune health.
- COVID-19 pandemic measures (facility closures, social distancing) limited traditional physical activity opportunities.
- These limitations disproportionately affected marginalized communities, widening existing health disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review effective and feasible strategies for equitable access to physical activity.
- To address barriers to physical activity in marginalized communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To promote health equity and reduce COVID-19's unequal consequences through physical activity.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of existing literature and evidence-informed interventions.
- Focus on strategies addressing unique barriers in economically and socially marginalized communities.
- Analysis of programs and spaces promoting equitable physical activity access across the U.S.
Main Results:
- Identified effective and feasible strategies for increasing physical activity access.
- Highlighted the exacerbation of disparities due to pandemic-related changes.
- Emphasized the need for targeted interventions for marginalized populations.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity is a key behavior for improving population health and reducing disparities.
- Equitable access to physical activity is essential for mitigating COVID-19's unequal health outcomes.
- Renewed investment in targeted physical activity interventions can improve health during and beyond the pandemic.
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