Philip L. Haberstro
Executive Director
National Association for Health and Fitness, The Network of State and Governor's Councils
Which of the 8 Sectors
are you involved in and why did you choose that particular
sector?
I am working with the Non-Profit sector; The Non-Profit or “social sector” combines both creativity and innovation with a morally sound mission of benefitting the public good- this is where I am both professionally and personally most comfortable. From the National Association for Health and Fitness perspective, we see a great deal of opportunity for citizen engagement at the State and local level to foster the National Physical Activity Plan’s work being owned by communities across America.
What's most
exciting to you about the U.S. having a National Physical
Activity Plan?
Change revolves around three key factors: knowing where you are, knowing where you want to go (a shared Vision), and having a strategic path to guide your work (see the W H O Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion). The first US National Physical Activity Plan will have those three elements plus the inter-sector collaboration and interdisciplinary partners and leadership necessary to sustain the Plan’s process and document results. The challenge for all of us in this transparent and social capital building initiative will be to procure sustainable resources to facilitate this initiative’s potential in making daily physical activity (and its multiple benefits to the individual and society) once again a part of the US culture.
What will success
of the NPAP look like to you in 3 years, 5 years? 10 years?
Success in 3 years will be implementation, early victories and sustainable resources procured. In 5 years there will be documented progress, a re-visit to the shared Vision and the NPAP itself for modification, and a strong partnership with the nutrition world. In 10 years, the steps taken in year 5 are replicated, and the 2020 Healthy People physical activity objectives are met. A strong partnership with the nutrition profession has turned our ailing sick care system into a global model of a high value national health system that has brought American citizens into the top five healthiest in the world! By 2030 we are the healthiest citizens in the world.