Physical Activity Public health advocates of shared use often focus on increasing opportunities for physical activity. Physical activity is critical in the prevention and control of chronic disease.6 People are more physically active when they have access to safe, affordable, high-quality space for play, exercise, and recreation.7 However, across the country, many communities lack the resources residents need to be active. Six out of every ten Americans do not live within a half-mile of a park, and nearly half the nation’s youth live in neighborhoods without parks, recreation centers, or sidewalks.8 Because recreational space is not equitably distributed, not everyone has the same opportunities to be active. Low-income communities and communities of color consistently have the fewest accessible, safe, and well-maintained recreational facilities. And perhaps not surprisingly, they’re also less likely to have sufficient resources to create new recreational spaces.9–12 By increasing recreational opportunities in the areas with the fewest resources, shared use can help address this inequity and associated health disparities. WHY SHARED USE? By increasing the availability of spaces for health-promoting activities, shared use can help create and support healthy communities. live further than half mile from a park 60% OF AMERICANS 7 Shared Use | changelabsolutions.org
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