Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Articles

The Relationship Between Park Access and Quality and Various Health Metrics in a Metropolitan Area in South Carolina Using the CDC PLACES Dataset: Jenna Pellizzari, Farnaz Hesam Shariati, Andrew T. Kaczynski; J Prev Med Public Health. 2025;58(2):208-217. Published online December 13, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.325

3,809 View
418 Download
2 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Objectives
Limited access to high-quality green spaces could contribute to growing rates of chronic diseases and unhealthy behaviors. Public parks provide numerous benefits for population well-being. However, past research has shown mixed results regarding the association between proximal parks and residents’ physical and mental health. This study examined the relationship between diverse elements of park access and quality and multiple health outcomes.
Methods
Seventy-three unique parks within 70 census tracts in 4 cities in South Carolina were analyzed. Data about 7 aspects of park quality (transportation access, facility availability, facility quality, amenity availability, park aesthetics, park quality concerns, neighborhood quality concerns) were collected via on-site observations using the Community Park Audit Tool. Health data for each tract (obesity, no leisure time physical activity, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, poor mental health) were collected from the CDC PLACES dataset. Linear regression analyses examined the association between 10 park access and quality metrics and 8 health metrics, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics.
Results
All associations were in the unexpected direction except 1 relationship involving mental health. Specifically, positive associations were found between the number of parks and obesity, the number of parks and no leisure time physical activity, transportation access and obesity, and transportation access and high blood pressure. As concerns about neighborhood quality increased, poor mental health status worsened.
Conclusions
This study provides valuable information for public health professionals and researchers. Further research is needed to expand on and elucidate these findings.

Summary

Key Message
Parks can be key components of healthy communities, but more research is needed about how park availability and characteristics affect health. This study examined the relationship between diverse elements of park access and quality and multiple physical and mental health outcomes. The results were largely mixed, with some positive and some negative relationships; these findings can be expanded upon with further study.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

More Parks Are Linked to Lower Tract-Level Mental Distress in Less-Walkable Neighborhoods: A South Carolina Analysis
Farnaz Hesam Shariati, Jennifer Fillo, Mohammad Javad Koohsari, Andrew T. Kaczynski
Ecopsychology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Urban green space dimensions, visit behavior, and mental well-being: A comparative study of Singapore and Hong Kong
Kwan Ok Lee, Alex Hey Yeung
Cities.2026; 171: 106734. CrossRef
Spatially varying associations between a small-area index of livability and mental health outcomes in New York City: A geographically weighted Poisson regression approach
Khushboo Agarwal, Rachel L. Thompson, Glen D. Johnson
Spatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology.2026; : 100806. CrossRef

Church Leaders’ Health Behaviors and Program Implementation in the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition Program in the United States: Kelsey R. Day, Sara Wilcox, Lindsay Decker, John Bernhart, Meghan Baruth, Andrew T. Kaczynski, Christine A. Pellegrini; J Prev Med Public Health. 2025;58(2):146-155. Published online November 13, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.384

4,185 View
400 Download
1 Crossref

Abstract Summary PDF

Objectives
Church leaders are important to the success of faith-based health promotion interventions through the role modeling of health behaviors. However, clergy may be at a higher risk of chronic disease than their congregants and their health is understudied. This study examined church leaders’ health-related behaviors, differences in health behaviors by socio-demographic characteristics, and associations between health behaviors and church-level implementation of an ecological intervention.
Methods
Pastors (n=93) and church coordinators (n=92) reported body mass index (BMI), self-rated health, fruit and vegetable consumption (F&V), and physical activity (PA) at baseline and 12 months post-training in the intervention. Church coordinators reported program implementation for their church. Socio-demographic differences and associations between changes in health behaviors and program implementation were tested with regression models. Changes in health-related variables were examined using paired t-tests and McNemar’s test.
Results
Pastors (40.9% women, 41.9% Black/African American) had a mean BMI of 30.0 kg/m²; 23.7% met F&V guidelines and 45.2% met PA guidelines. Black/African American pastors were less likely to meet F&V guidelines and had lower self-rated health than their counterparts. Pastor PA improved over time, but pastor health behaviors were not associated with program implementation. Church coordinators’ (94.6% women, 39.1% Black/African American) mean BMI was 27.8 kg/m²; 27.2% met F&V guidelines and 62.0% met PA guidelines. Black/African American church coordinators had higher BMIs and lower self-rated health than their counterparts. Church coordinator F&V intake improved over time; self-rated health was positively associated with PA program implementation.
Conclusions
This study underscores the need for preventive interventions for church leaders.

Summary

Key Message
This study explored the health behaviors of church leaders, including differences by socio-demographics and changes in church leader health behaviors during the 12-month implementation of a faith-based physical activity and dietary intervention. Most Pastors did not meet fruit and vegetable (F&V) or physical activity (PA) guidelines. Pastor PA improved over time but was unrelated to program implementation. Most church coordinators did not meet F&V guidelines while over half met PA guidelines. Coordinators’ F&V intake improved, over time, and their self-rated health correlated with program implementation. This study underscores the need for preventive interventions for church leaders.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Faith-Integrated Education and Rabies Prevention Behaviors among Dog-Owning Households: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study in Indonesia
Maria Kornelia Ringgi Kuwa, Marianus Oktavianus Wega, Maria Sofia Anita Aga
International Journal of Health Concord.2025; 1(2): 99. CrossRef

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search