Title

Enhancements Increase Physical Activity in Rural Arkansas Town

Relevance

Phillips County, Arkansas sits alongside the Mississippi River on the eastern side of the state with nearly half of the county being classified as rural. The county is classified as the least healthy county in terms of health outcomes and health factors. Approximately 3 out of 5 adults in Phillips County are overweight or have obesity and 38% are physically inactive. Obesity, inactivity, and sedentary lifestyles are linked to a variety of preventable health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, depression, cancer, and risk of death. Research has shown participating in physical activity that increases the heart rate helps to decrease these risks and provide additional health benefits such as improved sleep, lower cholesterol, and improved mental health. These concerning issues in rural areas such as Phillips County, push for built environments that encourage physical activity.

Response

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Extension, through the Department of Family Consumer Science (FCS)-- Health team and Phillips County FCS Agent worked alongside the City of Helena-West Helena and key community members to connect and implement built environment changes in downtown Helena along the Cherry Street Corridor, making it more pedestrian friendly. On the banks of the Mississippi River, a 2-mile walking trail was constructed. This was connected to the downtown area by the existing Harbor View trail, Levy Walk, and Helena Ridge Ride trail. Wayfinding signage was installed to guide residents and visitors to these popular destinations along with 14 accessible curb cuts and 20 crosswalks.

Results

The potential residential reach of the built environment physical activity improvements is approximately 1030 people over a .66 square mile census block group. Additional potential reach is visitors to the downtown Cherry Street corridor area. Pedestrian counters were set up to collect data from three different areas before and after improvements were made – Cherry Street, Levy Walk, and River Walk Trail. The overall result is an increase in physical activity through walking. Over a five-month period after the improvements were made: • Pedestrian traffic in the downtown area remained the same. • Pedestrian traffic on the Levy Walk increased by 103%, from 234 uses to an average of 474 uses per month. • Pedestrian traffic on the River Walk Trail increased by 9%, from 162 uses to an average 176 uses per month. These increases in physical activity translate into potential healthcare cost savings. Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles are associated with an average of 0.4% to 4.6% higher healthcare costs for a general population. Studies have indicated an increase of physical activity in 10% of the population can result in a 0.9% decrease in healthcare costs. The above results could translate into healthcare cost savings of 1.8% based on the census block group population surrounding the target area.

Public Value Statement

Providing opportunities for safe physical activity in rural Arkansas can reduce sedentary levels, decrease risk for preventable chronic diseases, and result in healthcare cost savings.

Primary Focus Area

Nutrition & Health

Secondary Focus Area

Youth, Family, & Communities

Impact Statement