scholarly journals Physical Activity Programming Advertised on Websites of U.S. Islamic Centers: A Content Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2581
Author(s):  
David Kahan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Youth Programs ◽  
Youth Group ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Program Type ◽  
Activity Frequency ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Physical Activity Programming

Previous research has found churches to be effective at delivering physical activity (PA) programs to their congregants. Mosques, however, have not been extensively studied. Therefore, we quantified U.S. Islamic centers’ advertisement of PA programming and examined their programming characteristics. We conducted a content analysis of the websites of 773 eligible Islamic centers of which 206 centers in 32 states advertised PA programming. We categorized PA by program type: camping, fitness classes, sports, youth programs, and irregular offerings. We calculated descriptive statistics by program type for specific activity, frequency/duration/volume, participant/instructor sex, and instructor religion. Youth group (44%) and sports (23%) programs were most and least frequently advertised, respectively. Most centers (66%) that posted information on PA programming advertised only one program type. Men and Muslims taught most activities. Most activities—except for fitness classes—were advertised to a male audience. Islamic centers should offer and advertise additional PA programming—especially for women—and better utilize their websites for promoting such programming. Individual Islamic centers and Islamic- and non-religion based public health agencies can utilize our findings to fashion future PA offerings.

Pedestrian Activity Among California Adults

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E. Mathews ◽  
Natalie Colabianchi ◽  
Brent Hutto ◽  
Delores M. Pluto ◽  
Steve P. Hooker
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Random Digit Dial

Background:The objectives of this study were to assess (1) pedestrian activity levels among adults, (2) where and why adults engage in pedestrian activity, and (3) what adults consider when deciding where to engage in pedestrian activity.Methods:Pedestrian activity was assessed in 12,036 California adults, ≥18 years, using a random digit-dial telephone survey.Results:Significant differences were identified by race, sex, age, and physical activity level in the type, location, and purpose of pedestrian activities. Men engage in pedestrian activity at work, and women engage in pedestrian activity while escorting children to school and running errands. Whites primarily engage in leisure-time pedestrian activity, and non-whites are more likely to engage in pedestrian activity for transportation. Older adults were less active than their younger counterparts.Conclusions:These findings should be considered by public health agencies and their partners as they continue to increase and promote opportunities for pedestrian activity. Additional research is needed to assess older adults’ physical activity patterns and preferences, barriers, and facilitators to effectively tailor physical activity promotion efforts to this at-risk group.

The Role of Health and Physical Activity in the Adoption of Innovative Land Use Policy: Findings From Surveys of Local Governments

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (s1) ◽  
pp. S116-S124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Dill ◽  
Deborah Howe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Master Plans ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Mixed Use ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Pedestrian Infrastructure

Background:Research has established that built environments, including street networks, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and land uses, can positively affect the frequency and duration of daily physical activity. Attention is now being given to policy frameworks such as zoning codes that set the standards and expectations for this built environment.Methods:We examined the adoption and implementation of mixed-use and related zoning provisions with specific attention to the role that physical activity serves as a motivation for such policies and to what extent public health agencies influence the adoption process. A sample of planning directors from 53 communities with outstanding examples of mixed-use developments and 145 randomly selected midsized communities were surveyed.Results:Physical activity is not a dominant motivator in master plans and/or zoning codes and public health agencies played minor roles in policy adoption. However, physical activity as a motivation appears to be increasing in recent years and is associated with higher levels of policy innovation.Conclusions:Recommendations include framing the importance of physical activity in terms of other dominant concerns such as livability, dynamic centers, and economic development. Health agencies are encouraged to work in coalitions to focus arguments on behalf of physical activity.

scholarly journals Constructing and Communicating COVID-19 Stigma on Twitter: A Content Analysis of Tweets during the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Outbreak

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yachao Li ◽  
Sylvia Twersky ◽  
Kelsey Ignace ◽  
Mei Zhao ◽  
Radhika Purandare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Message Content ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
The Public ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Public Health Messages

This study focuses on stigma communication about COVID-19 on Twitter in the early stage of the outbreak, given the lack of information and rapid global expansion of new cases during this period. Guided by the model of stigma communication, we examine four types of message content, namely mark, group labeling, responsibility, and peril, that are instrumental in forming stigma beliefs and sharing stigma messages. We also explore whether the presence of misinformation and conspiracy theories in COVID-19-related tweets is associated with the presence of COVID-19 stigma content. A total of 155,353 unique COVID-19-related tweets posted between December 31, 2019, and March 13, 2020, were identified, from which 7000 tweets were randomly selected for manual coding. Results showed that the peril of COVID-19 was mentioned the most often, followed by mark, responsibility, and group labeling content. Tweets with conspiracy theories were more likely to include group labeling and responsibility information, but less likely to mention COVID-19 peril. Public health agencies should be aware of the unintentional stigmatization of COVID-19 in public health messages and the urgency to engage and educate the public about the facts of COVID-19.

Public Health Support for Weight-Related Practices in Child Care Settings in Minnesota

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Pelletier ◽  
Asha Hassan ◽  
Ann P. Zukoski ◽  
Katie Loth
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Child Care ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Child Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies

Objective. Childhood obesity experts have identified licensed child care providers as a focus for prevention efforts. Since 2011, local public health agencies in Minnesota have provided training and support to child care providers to assist in implementation of weight-related policies and practices as part of Minnesota’s Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP). Method. A representative sample of licensed child care centers and family home providers in Minnesota participated in a 2016 survey of policies and practices on child nutrition, infant feeding, and physical activity ( n = 618, response rate = 38.5%). Results. In adjusted analyses, SHIP-participating providers were significantly more likely to implement child nutrition (prevalence ratio = 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14, 1.88]) and physical activity (PR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.26, 2.14]) policies and implemented approximately one additional best practice in child nutrition and infant feeding, respectively. SHIP participation was associated with best practices and policies among home-based providers and policies among centers. Conclusions. Child care providers who participated in SHIP implemented more best practices and policies on weight-related topics than providers who did not participate. Findings suggest that efforts by local public health agencies to support child care providers can be effective at increasing adherence to practices and policies that are likely to influence child behavior and weight.

scholarly journals Examining Tweet Content and Engagement of Canadian Public Health Agencies and Decision Makers During COVID-19: Mixed Methods Analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E Slavik ◽  
Charlotte Buttle ◽  
Shelby L Sturrock ◽  
J Connor Darlington ◽  
Niko Yiannakoulias
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Medical Health ◽  
Health Accounts

BACKGROUND Effective communication during a health crisis can ease public concerns and promote the adoption of important risk-mitigating behaviors. Public health agencies and leaders have served as the primary communicators of information related to COVID-19, and a key part of their public outreach has taken place on social media platforms. OBJECTIVE This study examined the content and engagement of COVID-19 tweets authored by Canadian public health agencies and decision makers. We propose ways for public health accounts to adjust their tweeting practices during public health crises to improve risk communication and maximize engagement. METHODS We retrieved data from tweets by Canadian public health agencies and decision makers from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020. The Twitter accounts were categorized as belonging to either a public health agency, regional or local health department, provincial health authority, medical health officer, or minister of health. We analyzed trends in COVID-19 tweet engagement and conducted a content analysis on a stratified random sample of 485 tweets to examine the message functions and risk communication strategies used by each account type. RESULTS We analyzed 32,737 tweets authored by 118 Canadian public health Twitter accounts, of which 6982 tweets were related to COVID-19. Medical health officers authored the largest percentage of COVID-19–related tweets (n=1337, 35%) relative to their total number of tweets and averaged the highest number of retweets per COVID-19 tweet (112 retweets per tweet). Public health agencies had the highest frequency of daily tweets about COVID-19 throughout the study period. Compared to tweets containing media and user mentions, hashtags and URLs were used in tweets more frequently by all account types, appearing in 69% (n=4798 tweets) and 68% (n=4781 tweets) of COVID-19–related tweets, respectively. Tweets containing hashtags also received the highest average retweets (47 retweets per tweet). Our content analysis revealed that of the three tweet message functions analyzed (information, action, community), tweets providing information were the most commonly used across most account types, constituting 39% (n=181) of all tweets; however, tweets promoting actions from users received higher than average retweets (55 retweets per tweet). When examining tweets that received one or more retweet (n=359), the difference between mean retweets across the message functions was statistically significant (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). The risk communication strategies that we examined were not widely used by any account type, appearing in only 262 out of 485 tweets. However, when these strategies were used, these tweets received more retweets compared to tweets that did not use any risk communication strategies (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) (61 retweets versus 13 retweets on average). CONCLUSIONS Public health agencies and decision makers should examine what messaging best meets the needs of their Twitter audiences to maximize sharing of their communications. Public health accounts that do not currently employ risk communication strategies in their tweets may be missing an important opportunity to engage with users about the mitigation of health risks related to COVID-19.

scholarly journals Physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes: a study in 48 440 adult patients

2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2021-104080
Author(s):  
Robert Sallis ◽  
Deborah Rohm Young ◽  
Sara Y Tartof ◽  
James F Sallis ◽  
Jeevan Sall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Routine Medical Care ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Reduced Risk

ObjectivesTo compare hospitalisation rates, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and mortality for patients with COVID-19 who were consistently inactive, doing some activity or consistently meeting physical activity guidelines.MethodsWe identified 48 440 adult patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis from 1 January 2020 to 21 October 2020, with at least three exercise vital sign measurements from 19 March 2018 to 18 March 2020. We linked each patient’s self-reported physical activity category (consistently inactive=0–10 min/week, some activity=11–149 min/week, consistently meeting guidelines=150+ min/week) to the risk of hospitalisation, ICU admission and death after COVID-19 diagnosis. We conducted multivariable logistic regression controlling for demographics and known risk factors to assess whether inactivity was associated with COVID-19 outcomes.ResultsPatients with COVID-19 who were consistently inactive had a greater risk of hospitalisation (OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.81 to 2.83), admission to the ICU (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.55) and death (OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.33 to 4.67) due to COVID-19 than patients who were consistently meeting physical activity guidelines. Patients who were consistently inactive also had a greater risk of hospitalisation (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.32), admission to the ICU (OR 1.10; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.29) and death (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.60) due to COVID-19 than patients who were doing some physical activity.ConclusionsConsistently meeting physical activity guidelines was strongly associated with a reduced risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes among infected adults. We recommend efforts to promote physical activity be prioritised by public health agencies and incorporated into routine medical care.

scholarly journals Communicating COVID-19 information on TikTok: a content analysis of TikTok videos from official accounts featured in the COVID-19 information hub

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yachao Li ◽  
Mengfei Guan ◽  
Paige Hammond ◽  
Lane E Berrey
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Response Efficacy ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Oral Speech ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Quantitative Indicators ◽  
Video Format

Abstract Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok, an emerging social media platform, has created an information hub to provide users with engaging and authoritative COVID-19 information. This study investigates the video format, type and content of the COVID-19 TikTok videos, and how those video attributes are related to quantitative indicators of user engagement, including numbers of views, likes, comments and shares. A content analysis examined 331 videos from official accounts featured in the COVID-19 information hub. As of 5 May 2020, the videos received 907 930 000 views, 29 640 000 likes, 168 880 comments and 781 862 shares. About one in three videos had subtitles, which were positively related to the number of shares. Almost every video included a hashtag, and a higher number of hashtags was related to more likes. Video types included acting, animated infographic, documentary, news, oral speech, pictorial slideshow and TikTok dance. Dance videos had the most shares. Video themes included anti-stigma/anti-rumor, disease knowledge, encouragement, personal precautions, recognition, societal crisis management and work report. Videos conveying alarm/concern emotions, COVID-19 susceptibility and severity, precaution response efficacy had higher user engagement. Public health agencies should be aware of the opportunity of TikTok in health communication and create audience-centered risk communication to engage and inform community members.

The Perils of Partnership

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan H. Marks
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Separation Of Powers ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Public Bodies

Collaboration with industry has become the paradigm in public health. Governments commonly develop close relationships with companies that are creating or exacerbating the very problems public health agencies are trying to solve. Nowhere is this more evident than in partnerships with food and soda companies to address obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. The author argues that public-private partnerships and multistakeholder initiatives create webs of influence that undermine the integrity of public health agencies; distort public health research and policy; and reinforce the framing of public health problems and their solutions in ways that are least threatening to the commercial interests of corporate “partners.” We should expect multinational corporations to develop strategies of influence. But public bodies need to develop counter-strategies to insulate themselves from corporate influence in all its forms. The author reviews the ways in which we regulate public-public interactions (separation of powers) and private-private interactions (antitrust and competition laws), and argues for an analogous set of norms to govern public-private interactions. The book also offers a novel framework that is designed to help public bodies identify the systemic ethical implications of their existing or proposed relationships with industry actors. The book makes a compelling case that, in public health, the paradigm public-private interaction should be at arm’s length: separation, not collaboration. The author calls for a new paradigm to protect and promote public health while avoiding the ethical perils of partnership with industry.

scholarly journals International Perspectives on COVID-19 Communication Ecologies: Public Health Agencies’ Online Communication in Italy, Sweden, and the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422199283
Author(s):  
Serena Tagliacozzo ◽  
Frederike Albrecht ◽  
N. Emel Ganapati
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
The United States ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Communication Ecology ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
National Public Health

Communicating during a crisis can be challenging for public agencies as their communication ecology becomes increasingly complex while the need for fast and reliable public communication remains high. Using the lens of communication ecology, this study examines the online communication of national public health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Sweden, and the United States. Based on content analysis of Twitter data ( n = 856) and agency press releases ( n = 95), this article investigates two main questions: (1) How, and to what extent, did national public health agencies coordinate their online communication with other agencies and organizations? (2) How was online communication from the agencies diversified in terms of targeting specific organizations and social groups? Our findings indicate that public health agencies relied heavily on internal scientific expertise and predominately coordinated their communication efforts with national government agencies. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that agencies in each country differed in how they diversify information; however, all agencies provided tailored information to at least some organizations and social groups. Across the three countries, information tailored for several vulnerable groups (e.g., pregnant women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and homeless populations) was largely absent, which may contribute to negative consequences for these groups.

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