Easy access and display of state-level estimates of the prevalence of chronic diseases and their risk factors can guide evidence-based decision-making, policy development, and tailored efforts to improve population health outcomes; however, these estimates are often presented across multiple websites and reports. The Chronic Disease Indicators (CDI) web tool (www.cdc.gov/cdi) disseminates state-level data compiled from various data sources, including surveys, vital records, and administrative data, and applies standardized definitions to estimate and track a wide range of key indicators of chronic diseases and their risk factors. In 2022-2024, the indicators were refreshed to include 113 measures across 21 topic areas, and the web tool was modernized to enhance its key features and functionalities, including standardized indicator definitions; interactive charts, graphs, and maps that present data in a visually appealing format; an easy-to-use web-based interface for users to query and extract the data they need; and state comparison reports to identify geographic variations in disease and risk factor prevalence. National and state-level estimates are provided for the overall population and, where applicable, by sex, race and ethnicity, and age. We review the history of CDIs, describe the 2022-2024 refresh process, and explore the interactive features of the CDI web tool with the goal of demonstrating how practitioners, policymakers, and other users can easily examine and track a wide range of key indicators of chronic diseases and their risk factors to support state-level public health action.

We estimated the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk level, and receipt of a breathing test among adults without reported COPD in 26 states and the District of Columbia by using 2017-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Among adults without reported COPD, the 3 respiratory symptoms indicating COPD (chronic cough, phlegm or mucus production, shortness of breath) were common (each >10%). About 15.0% were at higher COPD risk (based on the number of symptoms, age, and smoking status); 41.4% of adults at higher risk reported receipt of a breathing test. Patient-provider recognition and communication of risk symptoms, appropriate screening, and follow-up are important for early diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death in the United States. Overall COPD prevalence declined during 1999-2011. Trends in COPD prevalence during the previous decade have not been reported. CDC analyzed 2011-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to assess trends and differences in self-reported physician-diagnosed COPD prevalence among U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Age-standardized prevalence of COPD did not change significantly from 2011 (6.1%) to 2021 (6.0%). Prevalence was stable for most states and subgroups; however, it decreased significantly among adults aged 18-44 years (average annual percent change [AAPC] = -2.0%) and increased significantly among those aged ≥75 years (AAPC = 1.3%), those living in micropolitan counties (0.8%), and among current (1.5%) or former (1.2%) smokers. COPD prevalence remained elevated in the following groups: women, adults aged ≥65 years, those with a lower education level, unable to work, living in rural areas, and who ever smoked. Evidence-based strategies, especially those tailored for adults disproportionately affected, can reduce COPD prevalence, and address the continued need for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and management.

INTRODUCTION: Data are publicly available to identify geographic differences in health outcomes, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and social vulnerability; however, examples of combining data across sources to understand disease burden in the context of community vulnerability are lacking. METHODS: We merged county and census tract model-based estimates of COPD prevalence from PLACES (www.cdc.gov/PLACES) with social vulnerability measures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Social Vulnerability Index (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi), including 4 themes (socioeconomic, household composition and disability, minority status and language, and housing type and transportation), and the overall Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). We used the merged data set to create vulnerability profiles by COPD prevalence, explore joint geographic patterns, and calculate COPD population estimates by vulnerability levels. RESULTS: Counties and census tracts with high COPD prevalence (quartile 4) had high median vulnerability rankings (range: 0-1) for 2 themes: socioeconomic (county, 0.81; tract, 0.77) and household composition and disability (county, 0.75; tract, 0.81). Concordant high COPD prevalence and vulnerability for these themes were clustered along the Ohio and lower Mississippi rivers. The estimated number of adults with COPD residing in counties with high vulnerability was 2.5 million (tract: 4.7 million) for the socioeconomic theme and 2.3 million (tract: 5.0 million) for the household composition and disability theme (high overall SVI: county, 4.5 million; tract, 4.7 million). CONCLUSION: Data from 2 publicly available tools can be combined, analyzed, and visualized to jointly examine local COPD estimates and social vulnerability. These analyses can be replicated with other measures to expand the use of these cross-cutting tools for public health planning.

BACKGROUND: Assessing awareness and knowledge of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (Guidelines), released in 2018, is important for monitoring factors that contribute to increasing physical activity. METHODS: We estimated prevalence of awareness and knowledge of the adult aerobic guideline (≥150 min/wk of moderate-intensity equivalent aerobic physical activity preferably spread out over a week) among adults (n = 3471) and of the youth aerobic guideline (≥60 min/d of mostly moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity) among a subset of parents (n = 744) from a nationwide sample of US adults in the 2019 FallStyles survey. We estimated odds ratios using logistic regression, adjusting for demographic and other characteristics. RESULTS: Approximately 1 in 10 US adults and parents reported being aware of the Guidelines. Only 3% of adults knew the correct adult aerobic guideline. The most common responses were "don't know/not sure" (44%) and "30 minutes a day, 5 or more days a week" (28%). Among parents, 15% knew the youth aerobic guideline. Awareness and knowledge tended to be lower with lower education and income. CONCLUSIONS: Limited awareness and knowledge of the Guidelines suggest communication about the Guidelines could be strengthened, especially among adults with low income or education.

INTRODUCTION: Community fears of gentrification have created concerns about building active living infrastructure in neighborhoods with low-income populations. However, little empirical research exists related to these concerns. This work describes characteristics of residents who reported 1) concerns about increased cost of living caused by neighborhood development and 2) support for infrastructural improvements even if the changes lead to a higher cost of living. METHODS: Data on concerns about or support for transportation-related and land use-related improvements and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained from the 2018 SummerStyles survey, an online panel survey conducted on a nationwide sample of US adults (n = 3,782). Descriptive statistics characterized the sample, and χ(2) tests examined associations among variables. RESULTS: Overall, 19.1% of study respondents agreed that development had caused concerns about higher cost of living. Approximately half (50.7%) supported neighborhood changes for active living opportunities even if they lead to higher costs of living. Prevalences of both concern and support were higher among respondents who were younger and who had higher levels of education than their counterparts. Support did not differ between racial or ethnic groups, but concern was reported more often by Hispanic/Latino (28.9%) and other non-Hispanic (including multiracial) respondents (25.5%) than by non-Hispanic White respondents (15.6%). Respondents who reported concerns were more likely to express support (65.3%) than respondents who did not report concerns (47.3%). CONCLUSION: The study showed that that low-income, racial, or ethnic minority populations support environmental changes to improve active living despite cost of living concerns associated with community revitalization.

Active travel to school is one way youths can incorporate physical activity into their daily schedule. It is unclear the extent to which active travel to school is systematically monitored at local, state, or national levels. To determine the scope of active travel to school surveillance in the US and Canada and catalog the types of measures captured, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature documenting active travel to school surveillance published from 2004 to February 2018. A study was included if it addressed children's school travel mode across two or more time periods in the US or Canada. Criteria were applied to determine whether a data source was considered an active travel to school surveillance system. We identified 15 unique data sources; 4 of these met our surveillance system criteria. One system is conducted in the US, is nationally representative, and occurs every 5-8 years. Three are conducted in Canada, are limited geographically to regions and provinces, and are administered with greater frequency (e.g., 2-year cycles). School travel mode was the primary measure assessed, most commonly through parent report. None of the systems collected data on school policies or program supports related to active travel to school. We concluded that incorporating questions related to active travel to school behaviors into existing surveillance systems, as well as maintaining them over time, would enable more consistent monitoring. Concurrently capturing behavioral information along with related environmental, policy, and program supports may inform efforts to promote active travel to school.

Chronic conditions are common, costly, and major causes of death and disability.* Addressing chronic conditions and their determinants in young adulthood can help slow disease progression and improve well-being across the life course (1); however, recent prevalence estimates examining chronic conditions in young adults overall and by subgroup have not been reported. CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to measure prevalence of 11 chronic conditions among adults aged 18-34 years overall and by selected characteristics, and to measure prevalence of health-related risk behaviors by chronic condition status. In 2019, more than one half (53.8%) of adults aged 18-34 years reported having at least one chronic condition, and nearly one quarter (22.3%) reported having more than one chronic condition. The most prevalent conditions were obesity (25.5%), depression (21.3%), and high blood pressure (10.7%). Differences in the prevalence of having a chronic condition were most noticeable between young adults with a disability (75.8%) and without a disability (48.3%) and those who were unemployed (62.3%) and students (45.8%). Adults aged 18-34 years with a chronic condition were more likely than those without one to report binge drinking, smoking, or physical inactivity. Coordinated efforts by public and private sectors might help raise awareness of chronic conditions among young adults and help improve the availability of evidence-based interventions, policies, and programs that are effective in preventing, treating, and managing chronic conditions among young adults (1).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) accounts for the majority of deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States in 2019.* COPD mortality rates are decreasing overall. Although rates in men remain higher than those in women, declines have occurred among men but not women (1). To examine the geographic variation in sex-specific trends in age-adjusted COPD mortality rates among adults aged ≥25 years, CDC analyzed 1999-2019 death certificate data, by urban-rural status,(†) U.S. Census Bureau region,(§) and state. Among women, no significant change in overall COPD mortality occurred during this period; however, rates increased significantly in small metropolitan (average annual percent change [AAPC] = 0.6%), micropolitan (1.2%), and noncore (1.9%) areas and in the Midwest (0.6%). Rates decreased significantly in large central (-0.9%) and fringe metropolitan (-0.4%) areas (and in the Northeast (-0.5%) and West (-1.2%). Among men, rates decreased significantly overall (-1.3%), in all urban-rural areas (range = -1.9% [large central metropolitan] to -0.4% [noncore]) and in all regions (range = -2.0% [West] to -0.9% [Midwest]). Strategies to improve the prevention, treatment, and management of COPD are needed, especially to address geographic differences and improve the trend in women, to reduce COPD deaths.

PURPOSE: The US youth physical activity guideline recommends participation in four types of physical activity: moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic (MVPA), vigorous-intensity aerobic (VPA), muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening physical activity. Current national prevalence estimates of meeting the youth physical activity guideline are typically based on measures of the MVPA and muscle-strengthening components. This study sought to examine differences in prevalence estimates using this current approach and then including measures of all four components. METHODS: Data from US high school student respondents to the 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey were analyzed (n = 10,596). Prevalence of students meeting the youth physical activity guideline were assessed and compared using 1) measures of MVPA and muscle-strengthening components only and 2) also including measures of the VPA and bone-strengthening components. RESULTS: Overall, 15.2% students met the MVPA, 50.7% met the muscle-strengthening, 70.6% met the VPA, and 80.7% met the bone-strengthening components. In total, 12.1% (95% confidence interval: 10.9, 13.3) of students met both the MVPA and muscle-strengthening components, and 11.2% (95% confidence interval: 10.0, 12.4) met all four components. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating additional measures of VPA and bone-strengthening activity into current surveillance systems may not meaningfully impact national estimates of meeting the youth physical activity guideline.

The numerous health benefits of physical activity include reduced risk for chronic disease and improved mental health and quality of life (1). Physical activity can improve physical function and reduce pain and fall risk among adults with arthritis, a group of approximately 100 conditions affecting joints and surrounding tissues (most commonly osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus) (1). Despite these benefits, the 54.6 million U.S. adults currently living with arthritis are generally less active than adults without arthritis, and only 36.2% of adults with arthritis are aerobically active (i.e., meet aerobic physical activity guidelines*) (2). Little is known about which physical activities adults with arthritis engage in. CDC analyzed 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to examine the most common nonwork-related physical activities among adults with arthritis who reported any physical activity during the past month, nationally and by state. In 2019, 67.2% of adults with arthritis reported engaging in physical activity in the past month; among these persons, the most commonly reported activities were walking (70.8%), gardening (13.3%), and weightlifting (7.3%). In 45 U.S. states, at least two thirds of adults with arthritis who engaged in physical activity reported walking. Health care providers can help inactive adults with arthritis become active and, by encouraging physical activity and referring these persons to evidence-based physical activity programs, improve their health and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Healthy People 2030 includes objectives to increase meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline for ages 6-13 years (of ages 6-17 y, monitored by National Survey of Children's Health [NSCH]) and grades 9 to 12 (mostly aged 14-18+ y, monitored by Youth Risk Behavior Survey [YRBS]). This study compares methodologies, prevalence, and patterns of meeting the guideline, particularly for overlapping ages 14-17 years. METHODS: Nationally representative surveys, 2016-2017 NSCH (adult proxy report, 6-17 y) and 2015 and 2017 YRBS (self-report, grades 9-12), assess meeting the guideline of ≥60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. Prevalence and odds ratios were estimated by age group and demographics. RESULTS: For youth aged 14-17 years, 17.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.1-18.7; NSCH) and 27.0% (95% CI, 25.6-28.5; YRBS) met the guideline. 25.9% (95% CI, 24.8-27.2) aged 6-13 years (NSCH) and 26.6% (95% CI, 25.3-28.0) in grades 9 to 12 (YRBS) met the guideline. Across surveys, fewer females (P < .001) and Asian youth (P < .001 except among NSCH 14-17 y) met the guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Neither methodology nor estimates for meeting the aerobic guideline are similar across surveys, so age continuity between juxtaposed estimates should not be assumed by magnitude nor age for separate Healthy People 2030 youth physical activity objectives.

BACKGROUND: During the past decade, guidelines for youth aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity remained unchanged. Active People, Healthy NationSM highlighted school and youth strategies (eg, sports and physical education [PE]) to increase physical activity. Sex, grade, and race/ethnicity disparities exist. This study examines sex-specific trends and differences by grade and race/ethnicity for the prevalence of 5 youth physical activity behaviors from 2009 to 2019. METHODS: The national Youth Risk Behavior Survey assesses adolescents (grades 9-12) meeting the aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and both guidelines (2011-2019) and sports participation and daily PE (2009-2019). Sex-stratified logistic regression assessed trends and 2009 or 2011-2019 differences by grade and racial/ethnic subgroups. RESULTS: Decreases in meeting the aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and both guidelines were observed for nearly all male subgroups by grade and race/ethnicity, whereas female subgroups exhibited declines or no change to low prevalence. Sports and PE participation remained mostly constant; select subgroups showed decreases (ie, Hispanic males [sports]; Black males and ninth-grade females [PE]). CONCLUSIONS: Past decade prevalence and patterns suggest that school-based and other strategies for all adolescents and tailored interventions for sex-specific subgroups may be needed to supplement sports and PE in promoting high school youth physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is central to the management and control of many chronic health conditions. The authors examined trends during the past 2 decades in the prevalence of US adults with and without select chronic health conditions who met the minimal aerobic physical activity guideline. METHODS: The 1998-2018 National Health Interview Survey data were analyzed. Prevalence of meeting the minimal aerobic physical activity guideline among adults with and without 6 chronic health conditions was estimated across 3-year intervals. Linear and higher-order trends were assessed overall and by age group. RESULTS: During the past 2 decades, prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline increased among adults with diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and arthritis. However, the absolute increase in prevalence was lower among adults with hypertension, coronary heart disease, and arthritis compared to counterparts without each condition, respectively. Prevalence was persistently lower among those with most chronic health conditions, except cancer, and among older adults compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Although rising trends in physical activity levels among adults with chronic health conditions are encouraging for improving chronic disease management, current prevalence remains low, particularly among older adults. Increasing physical activity should remain a priority for chronic disease management and control.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance is a core function of public health, and approaches to national surveillance of physical activity and sedentary behavior have evolved over the past 2 decades. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of surveillance of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the United States over the past 2 decades, along with related challenges and emerging opportunities. METHODS: The authors reviewed key national surveillance systems for the assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior among youth and adults in the United States between 2000 and 2019. RESULTS: Over the past 20 years, 8 surveillance systems have assessed physical activity, and 5 of those have assessed sedentary behavior. Three of the 8 originated in nonpublic health agencies. Most systems have assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior via surveys. However, survey questions varied over time within and also across systems, resulting in a wide array of available data. CONCLUSION: The evolving nature of physical activity surveillance in the United States has resulted in both broad challenges (eg, balancing content with survey space; providing data at the national, state, and local level; adapting traditional physical activity measures and survey designs; and addressing variation across surveillance systems) and related opportunities.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of domain-specific physical activity in the United States is lacking. Thus, the authors describe domain-specific moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a nationwide sample of US adults. METHODS: Participants from the AmeriSpeak panel (n = 2649; 20-75 y; 50% female) completed the Activities Completed Over Time in 24-Hours previous-day recall. The authors estimated average MVPA duration (in hours per day) overall and in major life domains by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and education. They also described the most commonly reported MVPAs and timing of MVPA during the day. RESULTS: Across all life domains, participants reported an average of 2.5 hours per day in MVPA. Most MVPA was accumulated during work (50% of total, 1.2 h/d) and household activities (28%, 0.7 h/d) with less MVPA reported in leisure time (15%, 0.4 h/d). Time reported in MVPA varied by sex, and race/ethnicity (P < .05). Walking at work and for exercise, childcare, and walking for transportation were the most commonly reported domain-specific MVPAs. A greater proportion of MVPA took place in the morning (∼06:00 h) and evening (∼18:00 h). CONCLUSIONS: Work and household activities accounted for 78% of overall MVPA reported, while leisure-time MVPA accounted for only 15% of the total. Encouraging MVPA during leisure time and transportation remain important targets for promoting MVPA in US adults.

Overall, the percentage of US adults who met the aerobic physical activity guideline1,I was 51.3% in 2011 and 51.3% in 2019 (P = .876).II In 2011, the prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline was <45% in 7 jurisdictions, 45% to <50% in 16 jurisdictions, 50% to <55% in 16 jurisdictions, and ≥55% in 14 jurisdictions. In 2019, the prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline was <45% in 4 jurisdictions, 45% to <50% in 17 jurisdictions, 50% to <55% in 16 jurisdictions, and ≥55% in 15 jurisdictions. Between 2011 and 2019, the prevalence significantly decreased in 12 jurisdictions (CA, CO, HI, KY, ME, MA, MO, OH, OK, OR, VA, PR), significantly increased in 11 jurisdictions (AL, KS, LA, MD, MN, MT, NC, TN, VT, WA, WV), and did not significantly change in 29 jurisdictions.III The absolute change in prevalence ranged from an 11.0 percentage point decrease in Kentucky to an 8.6 percentage point increase in Tennessee.

BACKGROUND: New or enhanced activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations is an evidence-based approach for increasing physical activity. Although national estimates for some infrastructure features surrounding where one lives and the types of nearby destinations are available, less is known about the places where individuals walk. METHODS: A total of 5 types of walking trips (N = 54,034) were defined by whether they began or ended at home (home based [HB]) and trip purpose (HB work, HB shopping, HB social/recreation, HB other, and not HB trip) (2017 National Household Travel Survey). Differences and trends by subgroups in the proportion of each purpose-oriented trip were tested using pairwise comparisons and polynomial contrasts. RESULTS: About 14% of U.S. adults reported ≥1 walking trip on a given day. About 64% of trips were HB trips. There were few differences in prevalence for each purpose by subgroup. For example, prevalence of trips that were not HB decreased significantly with increasing age and increased with increasing education and household income. CONCLUSIONS: Given age-related and socioeconomic differences in walking trips by purpose, planners and other professionals may want to consider trip origin and destination purposes when prioritizing investments for the creation of activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations where people live, work, and play.

BACKGROUND: Although disparities in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) participation by race/ethnicity and income are known, the combined association of these characteristics with LTPA participation is less understood. This study aims to describe trends and determine whether racial/ethnic differences in adult physical activity by income level have changed over the past 2 decades. METHODS: The authors estimated LTPA participation (outcomes: any aerobic activity, meeting the aerobic activity guideline, meeting the muscle-strengthening guideline, and meeting the combined aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines) among adults ≥18 years by race/ethnicity across income levels using 1998-2018 National Health Interview Survey data in 3-year aggregates. They also tested for trends, prevalence differences, and difference in differences using logistic regression. RESULTS: LTPA participation increased from 1998-2000 to 2016-2018 for all outcomes for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic adults at all income levels. Disparities narrowed for some groups but persisted between white and racial/ethnic minority groups across income levels for engaging in any aerobic activity and meeting the aerobic guideline (0.2-8.8 percentage point difference in differences). Disparities in meeting the muscle-strengthening and combined guidelines were less common. CONCLUSIONS: Opportunities exist to ensure that adults, particularly members of lower income racial/ethnic minority groups, have support to help them participate in LTPA.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) provides numerous health benefits relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, concerns exist that PA levels may have decreased during the pandemic thus exacerbating health disparities. This study aims to determine changes in and locations for PA and reasons for decreased PA during the pandemic. METHODS: Reported percentage of changes in and locations for PA and reasons for decreased PA were examined in 3829 US adults who completed the 2020 SummerStyles survey. RESULTS: Overall, 30% reported less PA, and 50% reported no change or no activity during the pandemic; percentages varied across subgroups. Adults who were non-Hispanic Black (Black) or Hispanic (vs. non-Hispanic White, (White)) reported less PA. Fewer Black adults (vs. White) reported doing most PA in their neighborhood. Concern about exposure to the virus (39%) was the most common reason adults were less active. CONCLUSIONS: In June 2020, nearly one-third of US adults reported decreased PA; 20% reported increased PA. Decreased activity was higher among Black and Hispanic compared to White adults; these two groups have experienced disproportionate COVID-19 impacts. Continued efforts are needed to ensure everyone has access to supports that allow them to participate in PA while still following guidance to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

Primary care providers (PCPs) are uniquely positioned to promote physical activity for cardiovascular health. We sought to determine the types of physical activity that PCPs most often recommend to patients at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and how these recommendations vary by PCPs' physical activity counseling practices. We examined the types of physical activity (walking, supervised exercise sessions, or other) PCPs most often suggested for CVD prevention among respondents to the 2018 DocStyles survey (N = 1,088). Most PCPs (80.0%) suggested walking to their patients at risk for CVD; however, PCPs who infrequently discussed physical activity with their patients at risk for CVD suggested walking less often than those who more frequently discussed physical activity. Walking is an easy and low-cost form of physical activity, and opportunities exist for certain PCPs to promote walking as part of their physical activity counseling practices for CVD prevention.

The importance of physical activity and community-level promotion strategies are well established, but little is known about adult perception of the importance of physical activity. In a nationwide sample of US adults, we examined self-reported importance of regular physical activity and the importance of living in walkable neighborhoods. About 55% of adults strongly agreed that regular physical activity is important, 40% strongly agreed that living in a walkable neighborhood is important, and 31% strongly agreed that both are important. Separately for each measure, estimates were lower among adults with lower education levels and who did not meet the aerobic physical activity guideline. Opportunities exist to improve the perception of the importance of physical activity and the importance of walkable neighborhoods.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the proportion of adults' and parents' knowledge of the adult aerobic and youth physical activity guidelines, respectively, in the United States. METHODS: Data were analyzed from a national sample of adults in the 2017 ConsumerStyles survey. Prevalence of knowledge of the adult aerobic guideline (ie, 150 min/wk of moderate-intensity activity) was estimated among all respondents (n = 3910) and of the youth guideline (ie, 60 min/d of physical activity on 7 d/wk) among parents (n = 1288). Odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression models adjusting for demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 2.5% (95% confidence interval, 2.0-3.1) of adults and 23.0% (95% confidence interval, 20.5-25.7) of parents were knowledgeable of the adult aerobic and youth guidelines, respectively. After adjustment, odds of knowledge of the adult guideline differed significantly by sex and physical activity level, whereas knowledge of the youth guideline differed by parental education level. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the release of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans nearly a decade ago, most US adults and parents lack knowledge of the adult aerobic and youth physical activity guidelines. Effective communication strategies may help raise awareness of current and future editions of national guidelines for physical activity.

The Environmental Protection Agency created the National Walkability Index (Index) to compare and analyze walkability among US communities. Index elements include design, distance to transit, and diversity of land uses. Associations between the Index and walking behavior have not been examined. This study describes associations between the Index and transportation and leisure walking among US adults. Past week self-reported participation in transportation and leisure walking among adults (n=33,672) was obtained from the 2015 Cancer Control Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and analysis completed in 2019. Index scores were linked to NHIS data based on the respondent's residence and classified into least, below average, above average, and most walkable communities. Associations between Index categories and walking were examined with regression models. Overall, the Index was associated with a higher likelihood of walking, especially for transportation. Transportation walking was more common in areas with higher walkability (21.6%-51.6%, least to most walkable). Leisure walking was also more common with greater walkability (48.4%-56.5%, least to most walkable). Transportation and leisure walking by Index categories in urban areas were similar to the overall population; however, it was not associated with walking in rural areas. US adults living in more walkable areas report more transportation and leisure walking, especially among urban areas. Consistent with elements in the Index, associations were stronger for transportation than leisure walking. Findings support the use of the Walkability Index by researchers, professionals, and other relevant stakeholders as a viable indicator of walkability.

The updated Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2nd edition) removes the requirement that physical activity should occur in bouts lasting 10 minutes or more to count toward the minimum aerobic guideline. Using self-reported data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 386,960), we examined differences in national physical activity estimates with and without this requirement. Overall, 1.9% of adults reported activities in short bouts (<10 minutes). When excluding short bouts, 29.9% were inactive, 20.7% were insufficiently active, and 49.4% were active. When including short bouts, 29.1% were inactive, 21.4% were insufficiently active, and 49.5% were active. Eliminating the 10-minute-bout requirement had little effect on physical activity estimates.

PURPOSE: Step It Up! The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities (Call to Action) presents goals and supporting strategies to promote walking. We assessed the presence and prioritization of 4 community supports for walking related to the goals of the Call to Action from the perspective of US adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional web-based survey. SETTING: US adults. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4043 respondents. MEASURES: SummerStyles 2016 survey assessing the reported presence and prioritization of 4 community supports for walking. ANALYSIS: Estimated prevalence of the presence of supports overall and by demographic characteristics, and prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratios of their prioritization. RESULTS: The most commonly reported community supports for walking were access to walkable locations (46.5%) and safe streets (29.2%), followed by walking groups (12.9%) and promotional campaigns (9.6%). Access to walkable locations (60.0%) and safe streets (50.6%) were most often prioritized by respondents, followed by promotional campaigns (23.6%) and walking groups (18.8%). Many differences in prioritization by demographic characteristics remained significant after adjusting for presence and other demographic characteristics, such as increased prioritization of all supports with older age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Presence and prioritization of community supports for walking varied widely by type of support and by demographic characteristics. Opportunities exist to improve access and public sentiment related to these supports to promote walking in the United States.

Built environments that provide activity-friendly routes (e.g., sidewalks) to everyday destinations (e.g., shops) can increase physical activity. Surveillance of supports and destinations is important, and identifying which are associated with walking could prioritize surveillance questions. Our purpose was to identify the significant associations between supports and destinations with walking among a nationally-representative sample of urban- and rural-dwelling adults. Participants in the 2015 National Health Interview Survey, Cancer Control Supplement (n=29,925) reported the near-home presence of walkable supports (roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails; sidewalks on most streets), destinations (shops; transit; movies, libraries, or churches; relaxing places), and past-week walking for leisure or transportation. We used stepwise logistic regression to quantify associations between supports and destinations and walking, including by urban/rural residence. We calculated the prevalence of walking across counts of reported elements by urban/rural residence. Among all participants, roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails and relaxing destinations were associated with leisure walking. Among urban residents, sidewalks on most streets and all four destination types were associated with transportation walking; among rural residents, roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails; movies, libraries, or churches; and relaxing destinations were associated with transportation walking. Walking was more common when more environmental elements were reported. To improve efficiency, communities may match surveillance priorities to behavioral priorities (i.e., leisure versus transportation walking) and environmental context (i.e., urban/rural areas). Surveillance of environments supporting leisure walking might focus on recreation-oriented spaces. Surveillance of environments supporting transportation walking might differ for urban and rural areas, and assessing destinations may be particularly important.

Children and adolescents can engage in an active lifestyle by walking to school; however, several barriers may limit this behavior. This study estimates the prevalence of walking to school and related barriers as reported by U.S. parents. Data from the 2017 SummerStyles, a Web-based survey conducted on a nationwide sample of U.S. adults, were analyzed in 2017. Parents of children aged 5-18years (n=1137) were asked whether their youngest child walked to or from school during a usual school week and what barriers make this difficult. Frequencies are presented overall and by parent characteristics. About 1 in 6 parents (16.5%) reported their youngest child walks to or from school at least once during a usual week. Prevalence differed by parental race/ethnicity, marital status, region, and distance from school. The most common barrier was living too far away (51.3%), followed by traffic-related danger (46.2%), weather (16.6%), "other" barrier (14.7%), crime (11.3%), and school policy (4.7%). The frequency at which parents reported certain barriers varied by their child's walking status, distance to school, age of youngest child, race/ethnicity, education level, household income, and metropolitan statistical area status. However, the relative ranking of barriers did not differ by these characteristics. Prevalence of walking to school is low in the U.S., and living too far away and traffic-related danger are common barriers reported by parents. Implementing Safe Routes to School programs and other initiatives that utilize strategies to overcome locally-relevant barriers could help increase the prevalence of children walking to school.

INTRODUCTION: Walking can serve many purposes, such as transportation (to get some place) or leisure (for fun, relaxation, or exercise); therefore, it provides many opportunities for people to be physically active. This study examines geographic and urban-rural differences in walking in the U.S. METHODS: Adult respondents (aged >/=18 years) to the 2015 National Health Interview Survey reported participation in and time spent (minutes per week) walking for transportation and leisure in the past week. In 2017, prevalence and time spent walking (among walkers) for any, leisure, and transportation walking were estimated by nine expanded regions and urban-rural designation. RESULTS: Prevalence of any walking ranged from 50.8% (East South Central) to 72.4% (Pacific); for leisure walking 43.9% (East South Central) to 60.6% (Pacific); and transportation walking 17.8% (East South Central) to 43.5% (New England). Among walkers, mean minutes spent walking per week ranged from 77.4 (East South Central) to 101.6 (Pacific); for leisure walking 70.5 (West South Central) to 85.9 (Mountain); and for transportation walking 47.4 (East South Central) to 66.4 (Middle Atlantic). Overall, there were urban-rural differences in prevalence of walking; however, differences depended on walking purpose and expanded region. Time spent walking was similar in urban and rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Regional differences in walking prevalence and time spent walking exist. Urban-rural differences in prevalence of walking differ based on region and purpose; however, rural areas had a lower prevalence of walking than urban areas regardless of purpose in southern regions. Opportunities exist to improve walking, particularly among southern regions with a focus on rural areas.

Implementing community design strategies can offer benefits related to walkability; however, they may also come with trade-offs to other community needs and desires. We examined public sentiment for 2 trade-offs among 2014 SummerStyles survey respondents (n = 3,995). About 33% of adults reported strongly favoring safer street design even if driving is slower; only 19% reported strongly favoring community design with walkable destinations even if homes are closer together. Walking frequency was positively associated with strongly favoring trade-offs, while differences by other demographic characteristics depended on the trade-off. Addressing public sentiment for potential trade-offs may be important when promoting walkable design strategies.