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