Between 2002 and 2005, E. Richard Brown, PhD, led a team of researchers in fielding a new Housing and Neighborhood Environment module as part of the 2003 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).
The team surveyed 42,044 people between August 8, 2003, and February 29, 2004, collecting information on their social, physical and housing environments, analyzing their responses, and disseminating the findings.
People all over the country use the CHIS 2003 data set. It is made available to communities in California for their planning and advocacy purposes.
The California Health Interview Survey website includes information about CHIS 2003 questions, methodology, sample design, findings and policy implications.
In an average week, one in four California adults does not walk at all for transportation or leisure and nearly half walk less than one hour total. (Half of California Adults Walk Less Than One Hour Each Week)
Living near a park helps increase activity among teens, especially those in low-income communities. However, one out of four California adolescents has no access to a safe park, playground or open space for physical activity. (Access to Safe Parks Helps Increase Physical Activity Among Teenagers)