A recent study published in JAMA Network Open claims that eradicating the existing physical activity disparities between young boys and girls in the United States could save approximately $780 million per age group of children aged six to seventeen. Even more savings, around $1.55 billion, could be realized by achieving equal participation in sports.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Center for Advanced Technology and Communication in Health (CATCH) at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), strengthens the argument that targeted interventions can significantly improve future health outcomes and reduce strain on healthcare systems.
However, current research demonstrates significant gender gaps in the physical activities of young people. The 2011-2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed that only 15% of girls in grades nine to 11 met aerobic guidelines, as opposed to 31% of boys. Similarly, a 2019 survey found that 54.1% of girls were active in sports, compared to 60.4% of boys.
To evaluate the potential impact of decreasing these disparities, CATCH and NIMHD researchers developed a computational model simulating the daily physical activities of all six-to-17-year-olds in the U.S. This model factored in various elements such as individual growth, potential chronic medical conditions, and the resulting long-term costs.
Bruce Y. Lee, MD, MBA, a senior author of the study, expressed that eliminating gender disparities in physical activity and sports is not just equitable but also economically beneficial, potentially making programs to boost physical activity and sports participation among girls self-financing.
The study suggests that one of the most practical ways to diminish these disparities is through sports. Interventions focusing on sports can be implemented in schools and athletic associations and funded through additional sources like community partners and recreation centers.
The Public Health Informatics, Computational, and Operations Research (PHICOR) team, which is central to CATCH, has been involved in the Aspen Institute’s Project Play since 2016. This project has been working to reduce gender disparities in sports by launching interventions like encouraging sports sampling, revitalizing local leagues, allocating prime field and gym times for free play, and recruiting female coaches as mentors and role models.
Senior analyst at PHICOR and study co-author, Jessie Heneghan, MCP, emphasized the cost-effectiveness of investing in initiatives that increase girls’ sports participation. She noted that current disparities often stem from limited opportunities and social support for girls in sports, particularly at the high school level.
The study received funding from several sources, including the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program, the Socio-Spatial Determinants of Health (SSDH) Laboratory, and the NIH Distinguished Scholars Program. Other supporters included the NIH Common Fund’s Nutrition for Precision Health, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the NIH, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the National Science Foundation.
