The Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network: Evaluation Using CDC's Science Impact Framework

The Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded the Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (PAPREN) from 2019-2024 to address critical knowledge and translation gaps related to physical activity policy research, with an emphasis on supporting and advancing research and practice on the Guide to Community Preventive Services Task Force's recommendations to advance physical activity related to community design and parks and green spaces. During the 2019-2024 period, PAPREN grew to include over 1,000 members from sectors such as public health, social and behavioral sciences, transportation, planning, and parks and recreation. PAPREN also included academics, practitioners, and government employees. Using an adapted version of CDC's Science Impact Framework (SIF), we evaluated PAPREN's influence on five domains: creating awareness, catalyzing action, disseminating science, effecting change and shaping the future using network tracking activities and a member survey (n=95). Results indicated that PAPREN is having an impact in creating awareness through its communications and presentations infrastructure, catalyzing action through projects and other initiatives led by its topic-focused Work Groups, disseminating science by helping members stay informed about the field and disseminating resources and shaping the future by informing members' work and shaping the next generation of researchers. An area for growth relates to affecting change by fostering more opportunities for networking and promoting professional development. PAPREN can serve as a model for other collaborative, multi-sectoral networks designed to increase applied research and to use research findings to inform practice.