The BRFFS is not collecting this measure again until 2023. 

Successes: What is helping?

The CDC Arthritis Grant expands Walk With Ease program sites and certified leaders, creates a statewide self-directed Walk With Ease portal for NC state employees, and recruits Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Master Trainers. The CDC Arthritis Grant focuses on promoting walking through the self-directed Walk With Ease program for increased participation; sharing information about Walk With Ease, physical activity, and Arthritis with state employees; and aligning efforts with statewide and national walking campaigns.

Walk With Ease is being explored as a good entry into the continuum of care within evidence-based programs of group-led Walk With Ease, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Chronic Pain Self-Management Program, Enhance Fitness, and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention.

The CDC Arthritis Grant also focuses on ways for health care providers to counsel and refer patients to increase physical activity (PA), including participation in AAEBIs and walking, and is embeding health coaching protocol into outreach efforts and AAEBIs implementation

In 2015, 45.0% reported walking among their top two forms of exercise; in 2017, 49.2%; in 2019 45.5%.

Challenges: What is hurting?

There is interest in AAEBIs such as Walk With Ease, but agency and community capacity to provide them consistently and sustainably is an ongoing challenge. Health care providers are interested in evidence-based programs, but are not always aware of them or how to refer their patients.