WILKES-BARRE — The institute's Health and Health Care Task Force 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 that focuses on changing behaviors and habits that promote long-term health.
The six pillars of lifestyle medicine include healthy eating, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of dangerous substances, and good social connections.
“Promoting physical activity is complex and involves more than simply telling people to exercise,” Avery Stoss said. “Everyone in our communities needs access to information and resources that will help them get active, regardless of income, disability or other factors. Luckily, Northeastern Pennsylvania has the tools to meet this need.”
Within Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center are running WalkWorks, a program that expands walking, biking, driving, and public transportation options. WalkWorks strategies to strengthen social connections, the economy, and public health include:
• Funding active transportation programs.
• Providing technical support.
• Educate the public (regardless of background, income or place of residence) about the importance of safe and easily accessible walking, cycling and public transport options.
• Promoting events, routes and programs that encourage the use of various transportation modes.
“The Downtown Wilkes-Barre Route is a great example of the WalkWorks strategy,” Avery Stoss said. “The route spans 2.2 miles and includes 19 properties, as well as walkways and waterfront parks along the Susquehanna River.”
Other recreational opportunities are tailored to different interest groups and populations.
For example, Avery Stoss said Lackawanna County's Bike Buddy program launched in May 2023 as part of the nonprofit Individuals Abilities in Motion. The program allows people with mobility issues to ride adaptive bikes on park trails. Volunteers teach riders how to navigate the park independently. Residents could learn about different bikes, including Excelerator handcycles and recumbent bikes, from the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority.
Avery Stoss said federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act paves the way for infrastructure and economic development. The funds could be used to improve public transportation and promote physical activity such as walking and cycling. Investing in improved roads, bike lanes and signage to improve walkability would support local health promotion efforts and improve pedestrian safety.
Another helpful resource is a report from the National Recreation and Park Association. The report recommends that communities develop a geographic information system (GIS) database or the Public Land Trust's ParkServe. The ParkServe tool generates data such as the number and location of city parks and the percentage of land used for parks and recreation. Communities create a visual depiction of their park system, including the presence of easily accessible trails, sidewalks, and public transportation, and “overlay these park metrics with demographic, environmental, community investment, and other data.”
Additionally, the National Recreation and Parks Association, through its State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORPs), is identifying ways for states to review information about parks, trails, and greenways.
“Stakeholders across Northeastern Pennsylvania can leverage these resources to make a difference in outdoor recreation and strengthen connections with their neighbors,” Avery Stoss said.
Bill O'Boyle can be reached at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
