3064.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - 1:30 PM

Abstract #13236

Promoting physical activity in the 21st century: effective national and community models

James R. Whitehead, Executive Vice President, The American College of Sports Medicine, 401 W. Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3233, 317-637-9200, jwhitehead@acsm.org

The promotion of physical activity in the 21st century must be far different from our previous efforts. As we closed the 1900’s, physical inactivity was widely recognized as an emergent public health problem. But it was unclear as to the best means for organizing and addressing this problem at national, community, and individual levels. The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA) is an alliance of over 100 not-for-profit organizations in the United States that are dedicated to the promotion of physical activity and the reduction of sedentary lifestyles. The NCPPA is creating a national plan for the achievement of the year 2010 national health objectives that relate to physical activity and fitness. This session will overview key elements of that plan, including: organizing and growing health coalitions, pursuing environmental and policy interventions, and using mass media and information technology. In addition, “best practices” for community physical activity promotion will be presented based on initiatives found within the NCPPA’s network of state coalitions.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Understand how a national plan to promote physical activity can be linked to existing and new efforts at the community level, making each more effective. 2. Understand key components of health coalitions, and strategic uses of policy interventions, media, and technology by coalitions. 3. Learn effective methods of promoting physical activity as developed by a network of state coalitions

Keywords: Physical Activity, Coalition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA