Shared Use of Physical Activity Facilities Among North Carolina Faith Communities, 2013.

INTRODUCTION: Shared use of recreational facilities is a promising strategy for increasing access to places for physical activity. Little is known about shared use in faith-based settings. This study examined shared use practices and barriers in faith communities in North Carolina. METHODS: Faith communities in North Carolina (n = 234) completed an online survey (October-December 2013) designed to provide information about the extent and nature of shared use of recreational facilities. We used binary logistic regression to examine differences between congregations that shared use and those that did not share use. RESULTS: Most of the faith communities (82.9%) that completed the survey indicated that they share their facilities with outside individuals and organizations. Formal agreements were more common when faith communities shared indoor spaces such as gymnasiums and classroom meeting spaces than when they shared outdoor spaces such as playgrounds or athletic fields. Faith communities in the wealthiest counties were more likely to share their spaces than were faith communities in poorer counties. Faith communities in counties with the best health rankings were more likely to share facilities than faith communities in counties that had lower health rankings. The most frequently cited reasons faith communities did not share their facilities were that they did not know how to initiate the process of sharing their facilities or that no outside groups had ever asked. CONCLUSION: Most faith communities shared their facilities for physical activity. Research is needed on the relationship between shared use and physical activity levels, including the effect of formalizing shared-use policies.

Challenges in promoting joint use agreements: experiences from Community Transformation Grant awardees in North Carolina, Illinois, and Wisconsin, 2011-2014.

Community Transformation Grant awardees in North Carolina, Illinois, and Wisconsin promoted joint use agreements (formal agreements between 2 parties for the shared use of land or facilities) as a strategy to increase access to physical activity in their states. However, awardees experienced significant barriers to establishing joint use agreements, including 1) confusion about terminology and an aversion to complex legal contracts, 2) lack of applicability to single organizations with open use policies, and 3) questionable value in nonurban areas where open lands for physical activity are often available and where the need is instead for physical activity programs and infrastructure. Furthermore, promotion of formal agreements may unintentionally reduce access by raising concerns regarding legal risks and costs associated with existing shared use of land. Thus, joint use agreements have practical limitations that should be considered when selecting among strategies to promote physical activity participation.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health's vision for healthy and sustainable communities.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health is working to improve access to physical activity through changes in the built environment by participating in the Healthy Environments Collaborative and by leading the state's Communities Putting Prevention to Work project and the Shape Your World movement.

The role of state health departments in supporting community-based obesity prevention.

BACKGROUND: Recent national attention to obesity prevention has highlighted the importance of community-based initiatives. State health departments are in a unique position to offer resources and support for local obesity prevention efforts. COMMUNITY CONTEXT: In North Carolina, one-third of children are overweight or obese. North Carolina's Division of Public Health supports community-based obesity prevention by awarding annual grants to local health departments, providing ongoing training and technical assistance, and engaging state-level partners and resources to support local efforts. METHODS: The North Carolina Division of Public Health administered grants to 5 counties to implement the Childhood Obesity Prevention Demonstration Project; counties simultaneously carried out interventions in the community, health care organizations, worksites, schools, child care centers, and faith communities. OUTCOME: The North Carolina Division of Public Health worked with 5 local health departments to implement community-wide policy and environmental changes that support healthful eating and physical activity. The state health department supported this effort by working with state partners to provide technical assistance, additional funding, and evaluation. INTERPRETATION: State health departments are well positioned to coordinate technical assistance and leverage additional support to increase the strength of community-based obesity prevention efforts.

Using Scenarios to Facilitate Learning and Developing Public Health Nursing Interventions.

Interactive and engaging experiences are crucial to learning. Using scenario-based approaches supports adult-based learning and allows students to assimilate new knowledge with lived experiences while directing their own learning experience. This article describes an innovative approach to continuing nursing education that integrates scenario-based learning into a course required by administrative law for public health nurses in a large southeastern state. Example scenarios and the student worksheet are provided. [J Contin Nurs Educ. 2021;52(1):34-38.].