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8—5 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 8 - Economic, Health and Environmental Impacts of Parks and Recreation 8 C. The Role of Parks and Recreation in Improving Public Health Many studies over the years have indicated the strong relationship between parks and public health. Whether providing opportunities to commune with nature and meditate, or access to safe spaces for physical activity and recreation to fight childhood obesity and chronic disease, access to parks and recreation areas and programs have consistently been shown to improve quality of life and increase positive health outcomes. Here in Orange County, well over 90% of persons responding to the Community Needs Assessment Surveys in Chapter Six agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “Public parks and recreation programs enhance the physical and mental well-being of Orange County residents.” The role of parks and recreation in improving health is especially important considering national and local trends in public health. As the following statistics illustrate, we know the burden of disease and death in the United States is due to preventable diseases resulting from physical inactivity, tobacco use, and poor diets.  Seven out of 10 deaths among Americans each year result from preventable chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.  Nearly half of American adults suffer from at least one chronic illness.  One in three American adults is obese-and almost one in five children.  Arthritis is the leading cause of disability, with nearly 19 million Americans reporting activity limitations.  Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations, and blindness among American adults. In Orange County, local data reflects the national epidemic of preventable chronic disease. Fifly-three percent of adults and 33% of high school students in Orange County are not within healthy weight ranges, which increased access to park improves. Only 45% of adults and 48% of high school students meet the minimum recommended physical activity requirements.16 17 Orange County does yet not meet the established North Carolina 2020 targets for adult exercise (60.6%) or healthy weight high school students (79.2%). Individual Behavior versus Influential Systems Looking at these numbers alone, it would be easy to attribute these negative health outcomes to individual choice, willpower, or lack of knowledge about healthy behaviors. However additional data on the health effects of our physical, political, and cultural surroundings provide deeper insight on how our decisions are affected by elements beyond individual control. Some national examples include:  Seventy percent of African –American neighbor- hoods and 81% of Hispanic neighborhoods lack recreation facilities, compared to 38% of White neighborhoods.18  People who report access to walking/jogging trails are more 55% more likely to be active.19  Children living within 2/3 mile of a park with a playground can be five times more likely to have a healthy weight.20  People who live within walking distance of trails, parks or stores report higher walking than those who do not.21 But the distance matters. Forty-six percent of people are willing to walk to church or school if it is one mile away, but only 1% are willing when the distance is 3-4 miles.22  Youth in neighborhoods with seven recreational facilities were 26% more likely to be active than those in areas without facilities.23  The number of children who are physically active outside is 84% higher when schoolyards are kept open for public play.24 This clearly shows that where someone lives and what parks and recreation facilities they have access to directly affects their ability to meet physical activity guidelines and to achieve the associated positive health incomes. It is important that all residents have access to recreation and physical activity opportunities, the natural environment, health food, and healthcare. 89