Built environment interventions aimed at improving physical activity levels in rural Ontario health units: a descriptive qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
Few studies to date have explored the relationship between the built environment and physical activity specifically in rural settings. The Ontario Public Health Standards policies mandate that health units in Ontario address the built environment; however, it is unclear how public health practitioners are integrating the built environment into public health interventions aimed at improving physical activity in chronic disease prevention programs.


METHODS
This descriptive qualitative study explored interventions that have or are being implemented which address the built environment specifically related to physical activity in rural Ontario health units, and the impact of these interventions. Data were collected through twelve in-depth semi-structured interviews with rural public health practitioners and managers representing 12 of 13 health units serving rural communities. Key themes were identified using qualitative content analysis.


RESULTS
Themes that emerged regarding the types of interventions that health units are employing included: Engagement with policy work at a municipal level; building and working with community partners, committees and coalitions; gathering and providing evidence; developing and implementing programs; and social marketing and awareness raising. Evaluation of interventions to date has been limited.


CONCLUSIONS
Public health interventions, and their evaluations, are complex. Health units who serve large rural populations in Ontario are engaging in numerous activities to address physical activity levels. There is a need to further evaluate the impact of these interventions on population health.
, 285 Briarhill Road, Woodstock, N4S 7T4, Ontario, Canada. coghilcl@mcmaster.ca.
Cara-Lee
CL
Coghill
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, , L8S 4K1, , Ontario, Canada. valaitis@mcmaster.ca.
Ruta K
RK
Valaitis
School of Geography & Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, , L8S 4K1, , Ontario, Canada. eyles@mcmaster.ca.|Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. eyles@mcmaster.ca.
John D
JD
Eyles
D001364:Awareness; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009864:Ontario; D011634:Public Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D040241:Social Marketing