Objectives: A telephone survey of over 2000 American adults was conducted to determine their awareness of Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General and their knowledge of the health messages contained within the report. A related purpose was to determine if awareness and knowledge were a function of age, ethnicity, gender, and education level.
Methods: A random sample of American adults was drawn and a national telephone survey was conducted in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
Results: Approximately one third of the adult population had heard of the report. Awareness was a function of age, ethnicity, and educational level. Knowledge of the relationship between physical inactivity and specific chronic diseases was a function of age, ethnicity, and gender.
Conclusions: Differential awareness of the Report and its contents by various segments of the population has significant implications for the messages transmitted and interventions developed to help individuals adopt and maintain active lifestyles.