Influencing Policy to Promote Physical Activity

A case study is presented that describes the process by which ALP attempted to change policy, the reasons ALP staff chose to discontinue further pursuit of this proposal, and an analysis of this failed attempt using a framework for planning and analyzing the appropriateness and potential success of preventive health policy proposals.

Abstract

Abstract Policy and environmental approaches to physical activity are likely to have a greater impact than individual approaches, because they have the potential to influence the culture of a community, often endure longer, and are generally more cost-effective. An example of a project that included efforts to change policy and organizational practices to promote physical activity is the Pittsburg Active Living Project (referred to locally as ALP). ALP looked for opportunities to change or create policies that would encourage physical activity and better health for the low-income and multiethnic residents of Pittsburg, California. We present a case study that describes the process by which ALP attempted to change policy, the reasons ALP staff chose to discontinue further pursuit of this proposal, an analysis of this failed attempt using a framework for planning and analyzing the appropriateness and potential success of preventive health policy proposals, and alternative activities that were pursued by project staff. Based on the ALP experience, policy proposals that carefully consider civil liberties, available data, economic factors, and political feasibility in the planning stages will more likely yield success.