News and information from the National Physical Activity Plan 02/2015

2015 National Physical Activity Plan Congress – 

Less than 1 month away!

 
One day, all Americans will be more physically active and healthier. This February, YOU can help make that happen much sooner. We invite you to help inform the 2015 release of the National Physical Activity Plan by providing input, prioritizing tactics and creating strategies. Visit the Congress webpage for more details!

If you are attending the 2015 NPAP Congress, we encourage you to extend your stay in D.C. for three days and attend two summits related to child health and physical activity

 

NPAPA Announces Honor Award Recipient:

 

The NPAPA is pleased to announce Dr. Kenneth E. Powell as the recipient of the  NPAP Honor Award. The NPAPA believes that Dr. Powell is richly deserving of recognition for his accomplishments and contributions to the physical activity and public health field.

In brief, Dr. Powell has been an instrumental force in identifying physical inactivity as a public health issue and in advancing work and initiatives in public health and science on this topic. In the early 1980’s, Dr. Powell was responsible for initiating much of the essential physical activity and public health work at CDC. During this time, he played a vital leadership role as CDC incorporated physical activity into its public health mandate with both public health practice and the highest level of public health science as essential components.

Dr. Powell was also instrumental in creating attention at CDC for a Physical Activity and Health Branch (PAHB) and played a key role in both the development of the U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services physical activity recommendations as well as the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Please join us at the 2015 National Physical Activity Plan Congress in D.C. to congratulate Dr. Powell for his significant contributions to the field of physical activity and public health.

 

 Commentary: Opportunities for Public Health to Increase Physical Activity Among Youths

This commentary summarizes key findings from the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines Midcourse Report (2013) and outlines actions that public health professionals can take to ensure that all youths regularly engage in health-enhancing physical activity. The strategies identified in the commentary align well with the National Physical Activity Plan. Through action, these initiatives can lead to environmental and policy changes that will significantly enhance physical activity opportunities where youth live, learn, and play.

 

 New Report: Sports for All, Play for Life: 

A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game

Project Play, with support from the Sports and Society Program and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, recently released the report. This 50-page report aggregates the eight most promising strategies designed to address barriers that limit access to early sport activities which foster the development of healthy children and communities. We encourage you to download the report and review the best practices identified to increase children’s access to an early and positive sport experience.

 

 Presidents Council on Fitness, Sport, and Nutrition
Encourages Everyone to ‘Commit to Inclusion’ 

The Commit to Inclusion Campaign supports the implementation of the Guidelines on Disability Inclusion and programming to empower people with disabilities to lead healthy, active lifestyles.

Facts:

  • Nearly 50% of all adults with a disability get no physical activity
  • Children and youth with a disability are 4 times less active than their peers without a disability.

Commit to Inclusion calls for individuals, organizations, and communities to help facilitate access and opportunities for children and adults with disability to be healthy and active. The campaign was launched through a collaborative effort between the American Association on Health and Disability, the Center on Disability at the Public Health Institute, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, and the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability.

Join the Commit to Inclusion campaign today and help build healthy, inclusive communities for all!

New Research: Physical Inactivity vs. Obesity

America Walks Launches New Webinar Series: 

Inspiring Stories of Walkable Communities

America Walks has announced its first series of 2015 webinars. Building on the theme of “Inspiring Stories,” these free Webinars will showcase specific walkable community successes achieved by local elected officials, health care industry leaders and seasoned campaigners. These stories will inspire you with big ideas and equip you with resources and tools to begin to make lasting change in your own communities.

Webinar Dates:

 

“Elected Officials Walk the Walk”

Thursday, February 5th – 2pm Eastern

“What’s Happening in Health Care?”

Friday, February 20th – 1pm Eastern

“Lessons from the Experts: 10 First Steps to Walkability”

Monday, March 9th – 1 pm Eastern

For more details about each webinar, visit the America Walks website.

U.S. Department of Transportation Announced a 
New Biking and Walking safety Initiative

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, recently announced a new initiative to address the increasing number of pedestrian and bicycling injuries and fatalities. The 18-month campaign is expected to produce multiple resources designed to help communities build safer streets for walkers, bikers, and public transit users. The initiative was announced at the Pro Walk, Pro Bike, Pro Place conference in Pittsburg last month.

Review the Secretary’s Action Plan here.

As part of the new safety initiative, Secretary Foxx is challenging mayors and local elected officials to take significant action to improve safety for bicycle riders and pedestrians of all ages and abilities in their community.

Safety is our highest priority and that commitment is the same regardless of which form of transportation people choose, including walking and biking. This initiative is aimed at reversing the recent rise in deaths and injuries among the growing number of Americans who bicycle or walk to work, to reach public transportation and to other important destinations.”

Oliver Bartzsch is an experienced medical professional with over 15 years of professional experience. With a passion for medicine, fitness, and personal growth, he is always willing to challenge himself to accomplish tasks and especially to provide accurate medical information to people. Oliver is a long-time medical editor for multiple sites. With more than 10 years of medical writing experience, he has completed over 350 projects with both individual and corporate clients.

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