Quick Facts – NPAP

What is the National Physical Activity Plan?

The National Physical Activity Plan is a comprehensive set of policies, programs, and initiatives designed to increase physical activity in all segments of the U.S. population. The Plan aims to foster a national culture that supports physically active lifestyles. Its ultimate purpose is to improve health, prevent disease and disability, and enhance quality of life.

Who developed the National Physical Activity Plan?

The Plan was developed by a coalition of national organizations that came together to form the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance. The Alliance is a non-profit organization committed to developing the Plan and taking actions that will enhance its contribution to promoting physical activity in the U.S. population.

What is the role of a National Physical Activity Plan “organizational partner?”

The Alliance is governed by a Board of Directors that is composed of representatives from each of our organizational partners. Each organizational partner nominates a representative to serve on the Board of Directors. The organizational partners also provide financial and in-kind contributions to support the Alliance’s activities.

What are the sources of funding that support the National Physical Activity Plan?

The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance and its various projects have been supported by funding provided by its Organizational Partners and by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  National Plan conferences, conducted in 2009 and 2015, were partially supported by corporate sponsorships as well as registration fees and funds provided by Organizational Partners.

How is the National Physical Activity Plan related to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans?

The Physical Activity Guidelines target individuals and offer specific recommendations for the types and amounts of physical activity needed to gain health benefits. The National Physical Activity Plan targets policy and environmental changes to support physical activity. Specifically, the Plan provides recommendations for policy and best practices to inform change across nine societal sectors. The essential purpose of the Plan is to allow more Americans to realize the recommendations made in the Physical Activity Guidelines.

How is the National Physical Activity Plan related to Healthy People 2020?

Healthy People 2020 includes a section on Physical Activity.  That section presents 15 objectives, several related to increasing the percentage of population that meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.  Others relate to community and institutional actions that would support increased physical activity in the population.  The National Plan complements Healthy People 2020 by presenting a large number of evidence-based strategies and tactics that support attainment of the objectives laid out in HP2020.

What is the nature of the relationship between the National Physical Activity Plan and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services?

The National Physical Activity Plan is based outside of government but, throughout its history, the Plan has benefitted from a close partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).  This partnership has been formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding that calls on DHHS and NPAPA to communicate and collaborate on an ongoing basis.  DHHS units participating in the MOU are the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Physical Activity Branch), the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.