NEIGHBORHOOD AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT: ADDRESSING PHYSICAL INACTIVITY IN BURKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA BY IMPROVING ADULT WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY

Background: Burke County Commissioners understand that the social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly impact health outcomes and seek recommendations to improve residents’ health. Purpose: This proposal identifies which SDOH requires immediate attention and recommends upstream efforts for long-term health improvements. Methods: The team analyzed local, state, and national health data to prioritize neighborhood and built environment issues. We assessed Burke County’s leadership, stakeholder engagement, health department capabilities, and relevant policies. Results: The team’s analysis revealed that increasing the proportion of adults who walk or bike for transportation should be the top priority. Recommendations include a holistic approach addressing leadership, engagement strategies, policy adoption, and continuous quality improvement. Conclusion: The proposed multipronged approach aims to bring health, economic, and environmental benefits to Burke County residents through short- and long-term actions focused on improving active transportation. Keywords: social determinants of health, SDOH, neighborhood and built environment, walkability, bikeability, Burke County, North Carolina