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PAPREN Work Groups focus on priority topic areas related to the built environment and physical activity. These Work Groups develop products and tools that address identified research to practice gaps with a focus on the built environment. Work Groups present an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to work with peers and across disciplines to add to the evidence base and translate evidence to practice. They also offer members an opportunity to network and exchange information.

PAPREN Work Group participation has benefits for researchers and practitioners from multiple disciplines. These include opportunities to establish new collaborative partnerships, participate in manuscripts and presentations, develop practice-based products and tools that can be used by practitioners in everyday work, or serve as formative data for new projects and opportunities to develop new research and practice ideas with input from experts from multiple sectors.

PAPREN Work Groups develop and lead specific projects that are identified in consultation with the Coordinating Center and CDC DNPAO based on research gaps and CDC DNPAO priorities. Examples of research needs include:

Factors that influence the implementation of evidence-based policies at local, state and federal levels
Making policy implementation strategies more responsive to the local context
Understanding the interplay between research and policy to increase the likelihood of policy selection based on the best evidence
Short and long-term effects of policy changes on physical activity behavior and health-related outcomes

Equity and Resilience

It is necessary that the design, implementation, and maintenance of physical activity-promoting neighborhoods be equitable across social, economic, and demographic characteristics. The Equity and Resilience Work Group aims to define, describe, and guide equitable physical activity policies and evaluation.

Parks and Green Space

The mission of the Parks and Green Space Work Group is to build a multi-disciplinary network of researchers and practitioners from academia, non-profit organizations, government, and the private sector to: 1) Increase the amount and quality of research and evaluation in the area of parks and recreation policy, physical activity, and health; and 2) Support and facilitate the development and implementation of evidence-informed policies and practices related to parks and green space.

Rural Active Living

The mission of the PAPREN Rural Active Living Work Group is to build a multi-disciplinary network of researchers and practitioners from academia, non-profit organizations, government, and other funding agencies to: 1) increase the amount and quality of active living research and evaluation in rural areas, and 2) facilitate the development and implementation of evidence-informed physical activity practices and policies specific to rural communities.

School Wellness (Active Travel)

The School Wellness working group is a network of researchers and school health practitioners initiated in 2014 to share ongoing work pertaining to school wellness policies, programs, and practices, and to foster partnerships for continuing this work.

Transportation Policy and Planning

The PAPREN Transportation Work Group is a platform for community and collaboration among researchers and practitioners interested in research, evaluation, and translation to practice at the intersection of health and active transportation

Worksite (Active Travel)

The PAPREN Worksite Work Group addresses physical activity and sedentary behavior policies at the worksite in addition to active transportation policy.