PDF: National Parks and Public Health: Healthy Parks Healthy People Science Plan
Citation
National Parks Service. (2013). National Parks and Public Health: Healthy Parks Healthy People Science Plan. US Dept of Interior: Washington DC.
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Summary
The objectives of this plan are to:
1 Provide the context and a description of HPHP US,
2 Describe a research agenda focused on the NPS HPHP, and
3 Propose a NPS HPHP science action plan for research implementation
and information dissemination.
In this introductory chapter, the purpose and scope of the NPS HPHP
Science Plan is outlined. An overview of human health and parks, the
HPHP global movement, and the HPHP US initiative is given. A synopsis
of a NPS HPHP science workshop conducted by the NPS is presented; the
workshop results provided input for this research plan.
Chapter 2 describes a research agenda for the NPS as part of the NPS HPHP
initiative. A series of research topics are proposed focused on:
1 Identification and evaluation of park health resources,
2 Physical activity,
3 Mental health and well-being,
4 Nutrition,
5 Education/communication,
6 Program evaluation, and
7 Additional areas of research such as the relationship between policy and
park health resources.
The research agenda is focused on the NPS, but the questions, ideas,
and methods of the agenda can be applied to diverse park and outdoor
settings.
Chapter 3 presents a comprehensive action plan for accomplishing research for the NPS HPHP initiative. The plan describes three stages:
1 Organizing for research,
2 Conducting research, and
3 Applying research findings.
For each stage, specific and practical actions are recommended.
The report includes a bibliography and two appendices. Appendix 1 offers a brief review of selected scientific literature to illustrate the relationship between parks and human health. Appendix 2 is a list of NPS HPHP Science Workshop participants and their affiliations.
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