339074
Social Vulnerability and Leisure-time Physical Inactivity among U.S. Adults
Methods: Individual-level data (n = 661,360) came from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2011 and 2012 surveys. County-level social vulnerability was measured by the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leisure-time physical inactivity was defined as no participation in any physical activity during the past month other than regular job. Multilevel logistic regressions were performed to examine the associations between SVI quartiles and physical inactivity.
Results:Compared to those residing in counties of the lowest SVI quartile (least socially vulnerable), people living in counties of mid-low, mid-high, and highest SVI quartiles had 7.2% (95% confidence interval: 3.4% - 11.1%), 12.0% (8.0% - 16.1%), and 18.3% (14.0% - 22.9%) higher odds of being physically inactive during their leisure time, respectively. The relationship between residential county social vulnerability and leisure-time physical inactivity appeared more salient among females than among males.
Conclusions: Neighborhood social vulnerability may profoundly impact individuals’ engagement in physical activity. SVI could be a useful tool to guide community-based health promotion initiatives in addition to its intended use for emergency preparedness.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionEpidemiology
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Assess the relationship between residential county social vulnerability and leisure-time physical inactivity among U.S. adults
Keyword(s): Vulnerable Populations, Physical Activity
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have published 44 peer-reviewed journal articles and 1 book chapter. In 2015 I received the Judy K. Black Early Career Research Award from the American Academy of Health Behavior. My research has been featured in media outlets such as TIME, NY Times, LA Times, CNN, NBC, CBS, NPR, FOX, Reuters, The Atlantic, USA Today, Washington Post and Boston Globe. I am a reviewer for 24 journals in public health, medicine and health economics.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.