BY ARIEL LISSMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EUGENE PARKS FOUNDATION
& ANGEL MONTES COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, LCMS

Preventive treatment holds immense importance in the healthcare realm and in our communities, as the saying “prevention is better than cure” aptly underscores. However, healthcare providers often encounter formidable challenges in prioritizing prevention due to systemic, financial, and societal obstacles.

The prevailing healthcare model typically prioritizes treating existing illnesses over preventing future ones. This inclination can be attributed to the fee-for-service payment system, which favors treatments over preventive measures, perpetuating a reactive healthcare cycle.

Financial constraints complicate preventive efforts because preventive services require upfront investments with long-term benefits, contrasting with the immediate revenue generated by treating established illnesses. Societal factors also pose obstacles to prevention, as many individuals seek medical care only when symptomatic, thus overlooking preventive practices.

Socioeconomic factors exacerbate this issue, thus widening health disparities. According to a study from the Journal of the American Medical Association, individuals in the highest income quartile live around 6.5 years longer than those in the lowest quartile.¹

The CDC reports that the prevalence of diabetes is more than twice as high in low-income compared to high-income adults.² The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults are more likely to be uninsured (12% and 19%, respectively) compared to non-Hispanic White adults (8%), leading to discrepancies in healthcare access and outcomes.³

Preventive care in our communities necessitates significant time and resources for patient education and behavior modification, making it seem daunting compared to treating established illnesses, which often yields immediate results.

However, when attention is directed toward prevention, the outcomes can be significant. For example, The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a landmark research study and ongoing public health initiative aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.

The DPP demonstrates the critical need for substantial time and resources dedicated to patient education and behavior modification to achieve successful preventive care outcomes. This includes a commitment to time, content creation, personalized support, financial investment, and staffing. Participants in the lifestyle intervention group reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% compared to the placebo group over an average of 2.8 years.⁴

Amidst these challenges, programs like ParksRX emerge as beacons of hope, bridging the gap between treatment and prevention in numerous communities across the United States. Developed collaboratively among healthcare providers, parks and recreation departments, and community organizations, ParksRX epitomizes the concept of “green prescribing,” advocating outdoor activity and nature engagement to prevent and manage various health conditions.

By integrating nature-based activities into patient care plans, ParksRX empowers individuals to embrace outdoor time proactively for illness prevention and overall well-being. Specific activities like walking trails, cycling paths, or outdoor fitness classes are prescribed based on individual needs and health goals. The program operates through several key components, including healthcare provider engagement, community partnerships, education and outreach, and monitoring and evaluation.

In our community, a group of dedicated providers and partners are adapting “Prescribing Parks” to develop a pilot program. The aim is to minimize the burden on physicians while maximizing services and opportunities available to patients through streamlined processes and robust community partnerships.

Lastly, let’s recall the vital principle that structure dictates function. Just as in anatomy and physiology, where the arrangement of organs determines their purpose and efficiency, the presence of recreational spaces for residents profoundly impacts their ability to enhance community well-being.

To achieve this, it’s imperative to ensure the availability and utilization of our exceptional park systems that suit their intended function. The Eugene Parks Foundation spearheads a community campaign to raise funds for a new Spray Play/Splash Pads amenity at the upcoming Santa Clara Community Parks, part of the City of Eugene’s 2018 Parks Bond initiative.

To support this vision the McKenzie- Willamette Medical Center has pledged a generous $25,000 donation, demonstrating its commitment to community health and wellness.

David Butler, CEO of McKenzie- Willamette Medical Center, emphasizes the significance of promoting active lifestyles and outdoor recreation, stating, “I urge health providers and local businesses to contribute to the new Spray Play project in support of the Santa Clara Community.”

This underscores the importance of enhancing the well-being of families and children in the community.

The Eugene Parks Foundation welcomes donations of all sizes and offers acknowledgment opportunities to major donors to raise $400,000 to fund the Spray Play construction. Additionally, a list of ParksRX programs can be found at parkrx.org/content/directory-programs. For nationwide success stories, visit eugeneparksfoundation.org/donate.

1. “Association of Household Income With Life Expectancy and Cause-Specific Mortality in Norway,” JAMA Network, jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2733322
2. “National diabetes statistics report, 2020,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
3. “Health coverage by Race and ethnicity,” The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/health-coverage-by-race-and-ethnicity/
4. “Talking to Patients about the National Diabetes Prevention Program,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/diabetes-prevention/hcp/lifestyle-change-program/index.html#:~:text=A%20randomized%2C%20controlled%20clinical%20trial,group%20taking%20metformin%20(31%25)