Improving the built environment and neighborhoods to increase physical activity in health disparity zones

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) is addressing the obesity epidemic through a comprehensive set of initiatives to increase access for physical activity in Bexar County, Texas targeting the health disparity areas. The aim is to implement population-based policy, systems and environmental changes using five evidence-based MAPPS strategies that provide access to increased physical activity and healthy eating.

One of the goals is to improve aspects of San Antonio's built environment through policy, systems, and environmental changes networking with many partners focusing on maximizing health equity. The interventions are multi-disciplinary, and expected to yield a built environment more conducive to walking and cycling, and an increase in the availability of no-cost spaces and activities for physical activity. Making changes in the built environment in the target areas with appropriate bilingual media campaigns seek to educate, motivate, and empower the community to engage in physical activity. The needs assessment and selection criteria for making changes in built environment targeting the health disparity areas have contributed to maximum changes in the most vulnerable population. Some of the activities are placing outdoor fitness stations in parks and libraries and improving sidewalks, signage, and pedestrian crossings for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.