Research Article

Understanding Libraries as Part of the Rural Active Living Environment: Evidence From a Content Analysis of Library Facebook Posts Made in Summer 2022

Published: N/A

Journal: Health Promotion Practice

DOI: 10.1177/15248399231206085

Abstract

As both public health and public libraries continue to evolve, there are opportunities for collaboration focused on building policies, systems, and environments that support communities making healthy choices easy choices. Given the health disparities related to physical inactivity, such as diabetes and heart disease in rural America, public libraries within rural communities are emerging as important settings for health promotion and disease prevention. This study sought to better understand how rural libraries promote physical activity opportunities on Facebook. Based on a content analysis of Facebook posts of a random sample of 118 libraries made during the Summer of 2022, 47 of the 118 had at least one post related to physical activity and 42 had multiple posts. The most frequent offering was events or classes; libraries also supported physical activity by lending equipment and making changes to the built environment. This study provides evidence that some rural libraries are offering physical activity opportunities through community health partnerships, particularly for youth and families. Considering this evidence, public health professionals are encouraged to collaborate with local libraries to promote physical activity and advance rural health equity. Researchers are invited to continue to develop the evidence base around promoting physical activity with rural libraries.

Faculty Members

  • Sandra Slater - Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI, USA
  • Noah Lenstra - University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
  • Cynthia Perry - Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
  • Andrew C. Pickett - Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
  • Zachary Townsend - Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, USA
  • Nancy Tompkins O’Hara - West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
  • Kelsey R. Day - University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
  • M. Renee Umstattd Meyer - Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
  • Dina L. Jones - West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA

Themes

  • Physical activity promotion
  • Health promotion and disease prevention
  • Role of rural libraries in community health
  • Use of social media in health initiatives
  • Addressing health disparities
  • Rural health equity
  • Community health partnerships
  • Collaboration between public health and libraries

Categories

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