Exercise Is Medicine® On Campus: A National Analysis of the 2023 Recognized Programs

Introduction: For 15 yr, the Exercise is Medicine (R) On Campus (EIM-OC) initiative has called upon colleges and universities to promote physical activity on their campuses. To date, there are no reports describing the distribution of EIM-OC programs across the United States, and it is unclear what factors best position programs to achieve gold-level status. The purpose of this study was to perform a national analysis of the 2023 recognized EIM-OC programs. Methods: We identified the locations of the EIM-OC programs (American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) regional chapter, state, county, city) and described their characteristics (school size, presence of kinesiology-related degree program, type of healthcare services offered, presence of a medical school). Data were obtained from websites, and differences between bronze, silver, and gold recognition levels were assessed. Results: Of the 131 EIM-OC programs, 19, 50, and 62 were bronze, silver, and gold levels, respectively. Thirty-seven states had at least one EIM-OC program, and 27 states had a gold-level program. The Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic ACSM regional chapters had the most total (all >= 20) and gold-level (all >= 12) EIM-OC programs. Nearly 90% of total and gold-level EIM-OC programs were in metropolitan counties. Eighty-six percent of EIM-OC programs had a kinesiology-related degree program, 76% had student-centered health services on campus, and 28% had a medical school; however, there were no differences between bronze (P = 0.56), silver (P = 0.11), and gold (P = 0.12) levels. School (similar to 215-68,000 students; P = 0.21), city (similar to 690-2,700,000 people; P = 0.14), and county (similar to 9,500-10,000,000 people; P = 0.32) populations for EIM-OC programs ranged considerably and did not differ across recognition levels. Conclusion: In the United States, colleges and universities with a broad range of locations, sizes, and infrastructures have used EIM-OC to promote physical activity. A kinesiology-related degree program and student healthcare services on campus are key assets for implementation, regardless of recognition level. There are fewer EIM-OC programs in select states, ACSM regions, and non-metropolitan areas. These findings may guide future EIM-OC promotion and implementation.