WILKES-BARRE — The Institute’s Health and Health Care Task Force has produced a report on the role of physical activity in lifestyle medicine.
According to Chief Operating Officer Jill Avery-Stoss, lifestyle medicine is an important aspect of health care, which focuses on improvements to behaviors and practices that promote long-term well-being.
The six pillars of lifestyle medicine include healthy eating, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections.
“Promoting physical activity is complex and not simply a matter of calling on people to exercise,” Avery-Stoss said. “All residents of a community should have access to information and resources that allow them to be active regardless of factors such as income or disability. Fortunately, there are means of meeting these needs in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Within the Commonwealth, an initiative called WalkWorks is carried out by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. The program aids with efforts to expand walking, biking, wheeling and public transportation options. WalkWorks’ strategies for enhancing social connectivity, economies and public health include:
• Funding active transportation plans.
• Delivering technical assistance.
• Educating the public (regardless of their background, income, or location) about the importance of safe and easily available walking, biking and transit options.
• Promoting events, routes and programs that encourage the use of different modes of transportation.
“The Downtown Wilkes-Barre route is a great example of the WalkWorks strategy,” stated Avery-Stoss. “It spans 2.2 miles and includes 19 structures in addition to a path and waterfront park along the Susquehanna River.”
Other recreational opportunities are tailored for various interest groups and populations.
In May 2023, for example, Avery-Stoss said the Bike Buddy program in Lackawanna County began as part of the Individuals Abilities in Motion nonprofit group. This program allows people with mobility challenges to use adaptive cycles at park trails. Volunteers teach riders how to navigate parks independently. Residents have been able to learn about different bicycles such as Excelerator Handcycles and recumbent bikes from Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority.
Avery-Stoss said obtaining federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act offers pathways to infrastructure and economic progress. The funds may be used to improve public transportation and encourage physical activities like walking and cycling. Investing in road adjustments for better walkability and additions of bike lanes and signage support community health efforts and increase pedestrian safety as well.
A report from the National Recreation and Park Association is another helpful resource. It recommends that communities develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) database or The Trust for Public Land’s ParkServe. The ParkServe tool produces data such as the number and location of city parks and percentage of land used for parks and recreation. Local communities can create a visual depiction of park systems, including the presence of easily accessible sidewalks, trails, public transportation and “layer these park metrics with demographic, environmental, community investment, and other data.”
Additionally, the National Recreation and Park Association identifies how states can review information on parks, trails, and greenways with State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORP).
“Stakeholders in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region can use these types of resources to replicate changes to outdoor recreation and better connect neighborhoods,” Avery-Stoss said.