The Results of the "Positive Action for Today's Health" (PATH) Trial for Increasing Walking and Physical Activity in Underserved African-American Communities.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to test whether an environmental intervention combining police-patrolled walking and social marketing could increase walking in underserved African-American communities.
Results Summary
The study found no significant differences in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity across communities, but walking attendance increased in the social marketing community (from 40 to 400 walkers per month at 9 months, sustaining ~200 walkers through 24 months), while no change occurred in the walking-only community.
Population
Underserved African-American adults (N=434; 62% female; mean age 51±16 years).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
24 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
police-patrolled walking plus social marketing | increase | walking attendance | African-Americans | from 40 to 400 walkers per month at 9 months and sustained ~200 walkers per month through 24 months | showed an increase | #1 |
police-patrolled walking-only | no change | attendance | African-Americans | - | No change | #2 |
environmental intervention to increase walking | no change | moderate-to-vigorous PA | African-Americans | - | There were no significant differences | #3 |
BACKGROUND: The "Positive Action for Today's Health" (PATH) trial tested an environmental intervention to increase walking in underserved communities. METHODS: Three matched communities were randomized to a police-patrolled walking plus social marketing, a police-patrolled walking-only, or a no-walking intervention. The 24-month intervention addressed safety and access for physical activity (PA) and utilized social marketing to enhance environmental supports for PA. African-Americans (N=434; 62% females; aged 51±16 years) provided accelerometry and psychosocial measures at baseline and 12, 18, and 24 months. Walking attendance and trail use were obtained over 24 months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences across communities over 24 months for moderate-to-vigorous PA. Walking attendance in the social marketing community showed an increase from 40 to 400 walkers per month at 9 months and sustained ~200 walkers per month through 24 months. No change in attendance was observed in the walking-only community. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support integrating social marketing strategies to increase walking in underserved African-Americans (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01025726).