Improving community environments to encourage physical activity
Official title: Built environment approaches to physical activity: Testing community-driven implementation strategies
Funded at Chn Nebraska · NIH-10801891 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about finding better ways for everyone, no matter their age or ability, to safely enjoy activities like walking, biking, or using wheelchairs, by working with local communities to make our neighborhoods more welcoming for physical activity, which can help keep us healthier and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Chn Nebraska NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $140,828 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA280503-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10801891 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include community members in Montana who are interested in improving local environments to support physical activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in the targeted communities or who are not interested in physical activity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on making it safer and easier for individuals of all ages to engage in physical activities like walking, biking, or using wheelchairs. It aims to identify and test community-driven strategies that can effectively implement built environment approaches, which are designed to remove barriers to physical activity. By collaborating with local communities and leveraging resources from land-grant universities, the project seeks to enhance the adoption of these health-promoting strategies. The ultimate goal is to improve physical activity levels in the population, which can lead to a reduction in chronic diseases such as cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to healthier communities with increased physical activity levels, ultimately reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in implementing community-driven health interventions, indicating potential for positive outcomes in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Chn Nebraska
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balis, Laura — Chn Nebraska
- Study coordinator: Balis, Laura
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Making neighborhoods easier and safer for walking, biking, and wheelchair rolling
This project partners with local Cooperative Extension offices to try community-led ways to make it safer and simpler for people of all ages and abilities to be active near home.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.