PAPREN is a thematic research network of the Prevention Research Centers (PRC) program of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) funds PAPREN to support collaborative research and evaluation to identify and implement local, state and national level policy approaches that influence opportunities for physical activity. PAPREN supports work across multiple sectors with emphasis on factors that affect the built environment such as land use and transportation policy. PAPREN emphasizes cross-sector collaboration and integration of health equity into all policy evaluation efforts.

PAPREN’s seeks to advance the evidence base supporting physical activity policy and translation of evidence into practice at local, state, and national levels. 

PAPREN activities will position members to conduct physical activity policy:

• evaluation research that addresses key evidence gaps and emphasizes the demonstration of the long-term impact of policies on physical activity and related health outcomes 
• implementation research that identifies evidence-based strategies that improve practitioner capabilities to engage in policy processes and result in greater translation to practice

PAPREN structure consists of a Coordinating Center, CDC advisors, External Advisory Committee, affiliate member centers, and Work Groups. 

Work Groups 

Workgroups develop products and tools to support the policy and evaluation needs of DNPAO grant recipients and develop collaborative projects that advance PAPREN goals. Each group will have a listserv for members to contact one another. Learn More

Grand Rounds and Network Meetings

PAPREN alternates monthly calls that are Grand Rounds presentations and Network calls. Grand Rounds provide Network members with cutting edge information and guidance on issues pertinent to the broader field of physical activity policy research and evaluation and their capacity to work in this field. Network calls will feature updates from CDC leadership and the PAPREN Work Groups. Learn More

PAPREN Post archive