title: Cost effectiveness of a bicycle/pedestrian trail development in health promotion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A persistently low population level of physical activity is a challenge for public health. Data on cost effectiveness of environmental interventions are needed to inform the development and implementing of such interventions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct cost-effectiveness analysis of bicycle/pedestrian trails.
  
  
  METHODS
  The costs of trail development and number of users of four trails in Lincoln, NE, were obtained. The costs were adjusted to 2003 dollars. The physical activity-related outcomes/items are number of users who were more physically active since they began using the trails, number of users who were physically active for general health, and number of users who were physically active for weight loss. Cost-effectiveness measures were derived. Sensitivity analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The annual trail development cost US$289,035, 73% of which was construction cost. Of the 3,986 trail users, 88% were active at least 3 days a week. The average annual cost for persons becoming more physically active was US$98 (range US$65-253); the cost was US$142 (range US$95-366) for persons who are active for general health, and US$884 (range US$590-2,287) for persons who are active for weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis provides basic cost-effectiveness measures of bicycle/pedestrian trails. Policymakers can use this information in making resource allocation decisions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop K46, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA. gbw9@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Guijing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Caroline A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Macera
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scudder-Soucie
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Buchner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001642:Bicycling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009329:Nebraska; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*