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Measuring Progress Toward a Culture of Health... at the Library
RAND
Blog: 11.21.2018 by Carolyn Miller and Anita Chandra
In
Hundred, West Virginia, many homes sit at the end of gravel driveways off
gravel roads—not the easiest place for people to walk. And in this low-income
rural town of 300 people, many don't even own bikes, much less ride them around
town.
When
Tina McBee became director of the local public library in 2017, she decided to
change that. “I had been in other towns where you can use your credit card to
rent bikes for the day and thought, we could do that at the library,” McBee
says. The building itself sits right off a rails-to-trails path, so providing
bikes would be a natural way to encourage more exercise for the more than 2,900
people, including those in nearby communities, whom the library serves. That's
especially important in a state like West Virginia, McBee said, which is known
for its high
obesity rates (PDF).
Now,
thanks to her efforts, patrons of the Hundred Public Library can check out one
of the eight bikes, including a tandem, as well as helmets, horns, bells, and
even a baby trailer—for free.
“Libraries
are so much more than just books,” says McBee, who sees their role as shifting
more and more to asking: “How can we help the community?”
For the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
(RWJF), that evolution fits squarely into its Culture of Health vision.
In fact, the number of libraries per 100,000 population is one of 35
national-level measures—ranging from walkability of a locality to reductions in
racially segregated housing to voter participation—that we believe should be
monitored as important signals of progress toward a nation where everyone has
a fair and just opportunity to
live a healthy life.
Libraries'
Link to a Culture of Health
How
are libraries linked to a Culture of Health? They provide not just information,
but also safe spaces for social interaction, child and adult learning programs,
and places of refuge during heat waves, storms, and disasters. They also
provide internet access that allows patrons to apply for jobs, do research and
school work, or apply for college. And, increasingly, libraries are serving as
places for physical activity and nutrition programs. READ
MORE >>
Where
we live, learn, work, and play is critical to our well-being.
People
thrive in communities that are safe, inclusive, and provide opportunities for
making healthy choices. Feeling secure in our homes and surroundings, and
having access to neighborhood resources, such as libraries, contribute to
physical environments that support well-being.
Youth
Safety
11.8%
- of Youth feel unsafe walking to/from school (11.8% in 2014)
Feeling
safe outside of the home promotes trust, school attendance, and physical
activity. The degree to which young people feel safe getting to and from school
is critically important to their ability to stay healthy, exercise, and
complete their education.
Public
Libraries
5.3
– Average number of public libraries per 100,000 people (5.4% in 2014)
Public
libraries are critical community hubs for building a Culture of Health. They
provide access to health-related information and resources, along with child
and adult learning programs, safe spaces for social interaction, and places of
refuge during heat waves, storms, and disasters.
According
to a biennial survey conducted by the Institute of
Museum and Library Services, in 2015, there were 5.3 libraries for every 100,000 people in the United
States. An increase in the number of libraries would indicate improved access
to resources that help residents participate in communities and social service
programs, including those that promote health and well-being.
Walkability
20.0
– The Median Walkability Score on a scale of 0 to 100.
Walkability
is a key contributor to health and well-being, which allows community members
to get to places safely and easily, and increases opportunities for physical
activity and social connection. READ
MORE >>
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