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Background: Social support is a crucial factor influencing the sustainability of physical activity (PA). This proof-of-concept study presents the development of a Social Physical Activity Index for Area (SPAIFA) an indicator reflecting opportunities for individuals to actively participate as part of a group within which opportunities for social interaction can be developed. Methods: Six government councils in the state of New South Wales, Australia, were selected encompassing 174 suburbs. Using 2 search engines' map tools, we identified PA venues for each suburb (eg, park, studios, etc). To enumerate activities per suburb, we used (1) venue websites, (2) New South Wales Office of Sport website, (3) national websites of grassroots PA for nonorganized activity (eg, parkrun, meetup, etc), and (4) social media. The database was linked to the suburb demographic profile, the area disadvantage score, walkability and open space scores, and the proportion of insufficiently active residents. Spatial analysis techniques were used to identify SPAIFA clusters. Results: SPAIFA councils' average was 9.9 activities per 10,000 people (ranging from 6.6/10,000 to 16.2/10,000). SPAIFA-Old (ie, activities specific to older adults) varied significantly (ranging from 11.7/10,000 to 0.8/10,000 seniors). Disadvantaged areas and a high proportion of insufficiently active residents were associated with being classified as low SPAIFA (P <.01). Three clusters of low SPAIFA were identified, and 17 high-risk areas where low SPAIFA was compounded by poor environmental support. Conclusions: SPAIFA can be used by councils and policymakers as an indicator for monitoring and intervening in areas where natural and/or urban design is not conducive for PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children face many threats that have implications for their future. Empirical evidence on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's health and its variation across geography remains limited. Parents (n = 340) and their primary school-aged children in five Australian states completed anonymised online questionnaires early during the pandemic in mid-2020. COVID-19-related forms of worry were measured, and contributing variables were examined. Most children were worried: 89% were worried about contracting the virus, and 79% were worried about playing outdoors. Forms of worry varied by ethnic background. There were geographical patterns in variables contributing to children's worry aligning with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality across all states. Parents' characteristics of age and history of distress symptoms, daily exposure to pandemic-related news, and parents themselves being worried predicted children's worry. Technology use lacked predictive power. The outcome has implications with international relevance: children living in stressful environments, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, are highly vulnerable despite not personally being at a high health risk. During health crises, parents are urged to limit children's exposure to unfiltered news and care for their children's and their own mental health. Timely intervention and better access to mental health care may help mitigate the impact of health crises on children. Listening to children's voices and addressing the diverse needs of all communities can promote equitable children's well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]