Learn how the built environment impacts health, and the importance of measuring the effects of environmental and social contexts on health behavior.

Continuing BEAT Education

These materials are meant to be used for education and training purposes, and we welcome their use as part of other taught courses on public health, the built environment, and environmental assessment. Contact us if you are interested in incorporating this module into teaching or training.

Module Resources & Further Reading

Recent Guidelines and Frameworks for Physical Activity

  • CDC: The Community Guide Physical Activity  – The Community Guide for Physical Activity houses various resources for physical activity including interventions, summary tables, implementation, and promotional materials.

Identifying Factors Associated with Physical Activity

Measuring Physical Activity

  • CDC National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) – The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) monitors health of the United States and provides data on a broad range of health topics collected through personal household interviews.

Measuring Built Environment

  • Active Living Research – Provides an overview of active living research and examines the policies and conditions that impact people’s ability to be active where they live, learn, work and play. Note: This website may be inaccessible from time to time, as it is currently under construction.

Dissemination

  • Getting the Word Out: New Approaches for Disseminating Public Health Science – This study reviews lessons from related disciplines, current practices of researchers, key audience characteristics, available tools for dissemination, and measures of impact of dissemination efforts.
    • Brownson RC, Eyler AA, Harris JK, Moore JB, Tabak RG. Getting the Word Out: New Approaches for Disseminating Public Health Science. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2018 Mar/Apr;24(2):102-111. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000673. PMID: 28885319; PMCID: PMC5794246.
  • Designing for Dissemination and Sustainability to Promote Equitable Impacts on Health – Explores how designing for dissemination and sustainability (D4DS) can enhance the potential for adoption, sustainability, and ultimately impact of health and health equity. 
    • Kwan BM, Brownson RC, Glasgow RE, Morrato EH, Luke DA. Designing for Dissemination and Sustainability to Promote Equitable Impacts on Health. Annu Rev Public Health. 2022 Apr 5;43:331-353. doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052220-112457. Epub 2022 Jan 4. PMID: 34982585; PMCID: PMC9260852.
  • Portland Bike Study – Information on the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 to enhance the city’s biking infrastructure following a study in 2010 showing bike commuter preferences.
  • A systematic review of built environment and health – This review compiled the published research that examined the relationship between built environment and health and includes findings from 23 articles.
    • Renalds A, Smith TH, Hale PJ. A systematic review of built environment and health. Fam Community Health. 2010 Jan-Mar;33(1):68-78. doi: 10.1097/FCH.0b013e3181c4e2e5. PMID: 20010006.
  • Measuring the built environment for physical activity: state of the science – This first comprehensive examination of built-environment measures demonstrates considerable progress over the past decade, showing diverse environmental variables available that use multiple modes of assessment.
    • Brownson RC, Hoehner CM, Day K, Forsyth A, Sallis JF. Measuring the built environment for physical activity: state of the science. Am J Prev Med. 2009 Apr;36(4 Suppl):S99-123.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.01.005. PMID: 19285216; PMCID: PMC2844244.