title: Distance as a barrier to using a fitness-program benefit for managed Medicare enrollees.
abstract: This study evaluated the effect of distance on the likelihood of initiating and maintaining regular use of a fitness-program benefit in a population of managed Medicare seniors. We studied 8,162 participants and nonparticipants in a managed-care fitness-program benefit: a structured group exercise program or an unstructured health-club membership. Participants in both programs lived significantly closer to facilities than nonparticipants did (structured, p < .001; unstructured, p = .017). Participants living closer to unstructured-program sites attended more frequently than those farther away (p = .008). Distance was not correlated with frequency of use in the structured program (p = .49). Collectively, these analyses demonstrate that distance is related to uptake and, in some cases, continued use of a fitness-program benefit. Health systems providing fitness-program benefits as a way to increase physical activity levels of their plan members should consider location of program facilities in relation to members' home addresses to maximize use of the benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Ethan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Berke
authors.forename: Ronald T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Ackermann
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Paula H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Diehr
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Maciejewski
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Marcia B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: LoGerfo
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors