Orange County NC Website
71 <br /> Orange County Comprehensive Parks and.Recreation Master Plan <br /> CHAPTER 8- Economic, Health and Environmental Impacts of Parks and Recreation 8 <br /> 3. The Role of Parks and Recreation in <br /> Improving Public Health <br /> requirements. Orange Count does et not meet <br /> Many studies over the years have indicated the q g y Y <br /> strong relationship between parks and public health. the established North Carolina 2020 targets for adult <br /> Whether providing opportunities to commune with exercise (60.6%) or healthy weight high school <br /> nature and meditate, or access to safe spaces for students (79.2%). <br /> physical activity and recreation to fight childhood Individual Behavior versus Influential Systems <br /> obesity and chronic disease, access to parks and Looking at these numbers alone, it would be easy to <br /> recreation areas and programs have consistently attribute these negative health outcomes to <br /> been shown to improve quality of life and increase individual choice, willpower, or lack of knowledge <br /> positive health outcomes. about healthy behaviors. However additional data <br /> Here in Orange County, well over 90% of persons on the health effects of our physical, political, and <br /> responding to the Community Needs Assessment cultural surroundings provide deeper insight on how <br /> Surveys in Chapter Six agreed or strongly agreed our decisions are affected by elements beyond <br /> with the statement "Public parks and recreation individual control. Some national examples include: <br /> programs enhance the physical and mental . Seventy percent of African –American neighbor- <br /> well-being of Orange County residents." hoods and 81% of Hispanic neighborhoods lack <br /> The role of parks and recreation in improving health recreation facilities, compared to 38% of White <br /> neighborhoods. <br /> is especially important considering national and lo- . people who report access to walking/jogging trails <br /> cal trends in public health. As the following statistics are more 55%more likely to be active.19 <br /> illustrate, we know the burden of disease and death . Children living within 2/3 mile of a park with a <br /> in the United States is due to preventable diseases playground can be five times more likely to have a <br /> resulting from physical inactivity, tobacco use, and healthyweight.20 <br /> poor diets. • People who live within walking distance of trails, <br /> • Seven out of 10 deaths among Americans each year parks or stores report higher walking than those <br /> 21 <br /> result from preventable chronic diseases, including who do not. But the distance matters. Forty-six <br /> heart disease,cancer,and stroke. percent of people are willing to walk to church or <br /> • Nearly half of American adults suffer from at least school if it is one mile away, but only 1% are willing <br /> when the distance is 3-4 miles.22 <br /> one chronic illness. <br /> • Youth in neighborhoods with seven recreational <br /> • One in three American adults is obese-and almost facilities were 26% more likely to be active than <br /> one in five children. those in areas without facilities. <br /> • Arthritis is the leading cause of disability, with . The number of children who are physically active <br /> nearly 19 million Americans reporting activity <br /> limitations. outside is 84% higher when schoolyards are kept <br /> • Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, open for public play,24 <br /> non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations, and This clearly shows that where someone lives and <br /> blindness among American adults. what parks and recreation facilities they have access <br /> In Orange County, local data reflects the national to directly affects their ability to meet physical <br /> epidemic of preventable chronic disease. Fifty-three activity guidelines and to achieve the associated <br /> percent of adults and 33% of high school students in positive health incomes. It is important that all <br /> Orange County are not within healthy weight rang- residents have access to recreation and physical ac- <br /> es, which increased access to park improves. Only tivity opportunities,the natural environment, health <br /> 45%of adults and 48% of high school students meet food,and healthcare. <br /> 8-5 <br />