Communities across the country are addressing chronic disease through a variety of innovative healthy eating and active living strategies.
The practice of shared use – opening up a public or private facility for community uses beyond its primary purpose – increases communities’ access to physical activity opportunities and nutritious foods. Traditionally a school-based strategy, shared use practices have been expanded and applied to other settings such as faith-based institutions, libraries and other municipal buildings. Now hospitals can play a role in implementing this strategy to address the community’s physical activity and nutrition needs.