Abstract
A large proportion of non-communicable disease can be attributed to modifiable risk factors such as poor nutrition and physical inactivity. We present data on planning and transport practitioners’ perceptions and responses to government public health guidance aimed at modifying environmental factors to promote physical activity. This study was informed by questions on the role of evidence-based guidance, the views of professionals towards the guidance, the links between guidance and existing legislation and policy and the practicality of guidelines. A key informant ‘snowball’ sampling technique was used to recruit participants from the main professional planning organisations across England. Seventy-six people were interviewed in eight focus groups. We found that evidence-based public health guidance is a new voice in urban and town planning, although much of the advice is already reflected by the ‘accepted wisdom’ of these professions. Evidence-based health guidance could be a powerful driver affecting planning practice, but other legislated planning guidance may take priority for planning and transport professionals.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
World Health Organization. (2003) World Health Report 2002. Geneva: WHO.
Allender, S., Peto, V., Scarborough, P. and Rayner, M. (2007) Coronary Heart Disease Statistics. London: British Heart Foundation.
World Health Organization. (2004) Comparative Quantification of Health Risks: Global and Regional Burden of Disease Attributable to Selected Major Risk Factors. Geneva: WHO.
Allender, S., Cowburn, G. and Foster, C. (2006) Understanding participation in sport and physical activity among children and adults: A review of qualitative studies. Health Education Research 21: 826–835.
Allender, S., Foster, C., Scarborough, P. and Rayner, M. (2007) The ill health burden of physical inactivity. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 61: 344–348.
World Health Organization. (1986) Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Geneva: WHO.
US Department of Health and Human Services. (2000) Healthy People 2010: Understanding and Improving Health. Washington DC: US Department of Health and Human Services.
Foresight. Tackling Obesities. London: Department for Trade and Industry, http://www.foresight.gov.uk/Obesity/Obesity.html.
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. (2007) The Urban Environment. London: The Stationery Office, http://www.rcep.org.uk/urbanenvironment.htm.
Cavill, N., Kahlmeier, S. and Racioppi, F. (2007) Physical Activity and Health in Europe: Evidence for Action. Copenhagen: World Health Organization.
Pope, C., Ziebland, S. and Mays, N. (2000) Qualitative research in health care. Analysing qualitative data. BMJ 320 (7227): 114–116.
Bryman, A. and Burgess, R.G. (1993) Analysing Qualitative Data. London: Routledge.
Kitzinger, J. (1995) Introducing focus groups. BMJ 311: 299–302.
QSR International. NVivo 7.
About the User Liaison Program (ULP). (July 2003) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Rockville, MD, http://www.ahrq.gov/news/ulp/ulpabout.htm, accessed 25 September 2008.
Cavill, N. (ed.) (2007) Building Health: Creating and Enhancing Places for Healthy Active Lives. London: National Heart Forum.
Department of Health. (2007) Healthy Weight: Healthy Lives. A Cross-Government Strategy for England. London: Department of Health.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
As public health guidance is targeted at programs that might improve health outcomes, these UK researchers looked at the response of planning and transport professionals. Knowing how guidance is received may be key to success.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Allender, S., Cavill, N., Parker, M. et al. ‘Tell us something we don't already know or do!’ — The response of planning and transport professionals to public health guidance on the built environment and physical activity. J Public Health Pol 30, 102–116 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2008.43
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2008.43