PCD News Summary for January 5, 2017

About the Journal

Published every Thursday, Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is a peer-reviewed online journal established by CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The News Media Branch prepares press summary packets each week. To receive these press summaries on an embargoed basis, send an e-mail to media@cdc.gov. Please note that this e-mail list is for credentialed journalists only. All others, please visit Hookup to Health to sign up for e-mail updates

Notice to News Media – PCD Release Time and Embargo Policy:
CDC’s News Media Branch releases to reporters the PCD media packet every Tuesday afternoon between 12 and 2 pm.

Embargoed until Thursday, January 5, at 12:00 PM ET

Prevalence of Mindfulness Practices in the US Workforce: National Health Interview Survey

Melissa Newton
mnewton@cdc.gov
404-718-6281

The number of US workers who practice yoga nearly doubled from 2002 to 2012. Mindfulness-based practices can lead to improved worker well-being. This study examined the prevalence of past 12-month engagement in meditation, yoga, tai chi, and qigong among different worker groups in the U.S. using data from the National Health Interview Survey. Reported yoga practice prevalence in all worker groups nearly doubled from 6.0 percent in 2002 to 11.0 percent in 2012 and meditation rates increased from 8.0 percent in 2002 to 9.9 percent in 2007. Farm and blue collar workers were significantly less likely to report engaging in mindfulness practices than were white collar workers.

The Relationship Between Self-Rated Health and Use of Parks and Participation in Recreation Programs, United States, 1991 and 2015

Melissa Newton
mnewton@cdc.gov
404-718-6281

Americans’ use of park and recreational programs over the last 2 decades has improved their self-rated health. Researchers from Penn State have shown that using local parks and participating in organized recreation programs is significantly related to overall self-rated health. Examining data from 1991 and 2015, this relationship has also strengthened over time. While parks and programming were not related to self-rated health in 1991, by 2015 they were both significantly related. Based on this information, it would appear that parks and recreational services are a key part of the public health infrastructure, and becoming more important over time.

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