Data Description: Physical activity and exercise are an important part of maintaining overall health. Not only does exercise contribute to physical health and prevention of chronic disease, it can also offer mental health benefits such as stress and anxiety relief. While exercise is an important part of health, not everyone has access to places for physical activity. Living in places where it is unsafe to be active outdoors and the costs associated with gym use and membership are just two barriers to getting the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Statewide, 74% of residents are considered to have adequate access to locations for physical activities. Individuals are considered to have access to exercise opportunities if they: reside in a census block that is within a half mile of a park, or reside in an urban census block that is within one mile of a recreational facility, or reside in a rural census block that is within three miles of a recreational facility. 

Data Source: County Health Rankings provides this information based on GIS data. https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/north-carolina/2020/measure/factors/132/data